Flexible work and self-management : employee and employer expectations in a changing work environment
Seppälä, Anniina (2019)
Seppälä, Anniina
2019
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019052411666
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019052411666
Tiivistelmä
This bachelor’s thesis was commissioned by an organization, that runs business in banking and insurance sector. The commissioner is on a journey of implementing more flexible ways of work to meet the changing needs of the employees and to meet the increasing demand of the customers. The objective of this thesis was to examine the commissioner’s employees’ and managers’ hopes and expectations on flexible work and self-management and review suggestions of self-management practices, which could result in better performance and improve mutual understanding.
The chosen research method is qualitative due to its exploratory nature and it is closely linked with case study approach. The data was collected during May 2019 through observations and online surveys conducted for the commissioner’s employees and managers and analyzed using discourse method and qualitative comparative analysis method. These methods helped to study the characteristics and the contextual backgrounds of the case. The results are presented in a narrative form.
Relying on the theoretical background, the research revealed that flexible work and telework is widely used in Finnish organizations. The research also found, that the key element in succeeding at the implementation of flexible work is trust and commitment. The process is more about changing attitudes and norms, which cannot be measured short term. Therefore, it might be challenging to recognize, whether the suggested adjustments are working or not. The process requires commitment and consistency from both parties (employer and employees) and can be supported by number of practices that help to improve mutual understanding.
The chosen research method is qualitative due to its exploratory nature and it is closely linked with case study approach. The data was collected during May 2019 through observations and online surveys conducted for the commissioner’s employees and managers and analyzed using discourse method and qualitative comparative analysis method. These methods helped to study the characteristics and the contextual backgrounds of the case. The results are presented in a narrative form.
Relying on the theoretical background, the research revealed that flexible work and telework is widely used in Finnish organizations. The research also found, that the key element in succeeding at the implementation of flexible work is trust and commitment. The process is more about changing attitudes and norms, which cannot be measured short term. Therefore, it might be challenging to recognize, whether the suggested adjustments are working or not. The process requires commitment and consistency from both parties (employer and employees) and can be supported by number of practices that help to improve mutual understanding.