Multilocational digitalised work challenges companies to innovate
What do we actually know about multilocational work right now, and what is it evolving into? These questions were posed at the beginning of the event by Professor Anne Mäkikangas, who emphasized the urgent need for information as work practices have once again shifted since the pandemic era.
“There is a lot of writing and discussion about multilocational work, leadership, well-being at work, and organisational cultures. Headlines in the media are often harmful and polarising”, Mäkikangas began.
Discussion around multilocational work is marked by deeply rooted beliefs, such as remote workers being unproductive or uncommitted, and remote work being an either-or phenomenon.
“The aim of the project is to gain a better understanding of the factors that promote well-being and productivity in multilocational work. That’s why the project also includes leadership experts, aiming to develop work practices and structures that enable work engagement and productivity, supporting business growth and performance.”
“Balancing well-being and effectiveness is an important goal that challenges management and supervisory work”, says Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Teemu Laine.
Researchers develop a model for sustainable working life
There is a lot of research data on working life. As the phenomenon evolves rapidly, up-to-date understanding and explanation are crucial. For example, research shows that remote workers’ commitment varies across studies. A key factor may be whether commitment is understood as doing one’s job well or as engagement with the work community.
“Our multidisciplinary team uses a highly multi-methodological research approach. We aim to concretely understand what is happening right now and to develop work structures so that they promote well-being at work and productivity”, Mäkikangas explains.
“We have promised a model for sustainable working life, which in practice could mean work arrangements and the integration of various elements related to sustainability. Well-being feeds performance, and performance feeds well-being”, Laine states.
The three-year WorkWell project includes experts from work psychology, and financial and performance management. Six pioneering companies have been selected to co-develop a sustainable and well-being-enhancing working life. These companies actively participated in the kick-off event discussions. Mikko Leinonen, CEO of Atoz Oy, highlighted the importance of trust. The same issue was also raised in the panel discussion on the threats and opportunities of multilocational work: trust is a key strength of working life and Finnish society.
The panel discussion about the event is available on the Work Research Centre YouTube channel. Panelists include Emeritus Professor Matti Vartiainen (Aalto University), Leading Specialist Sinimaaria Ranki (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health), and HR Director Sanna Hildén (Gofore).
Watch on YouTube (in Finnish)
More information about the project is available on the project website: Workwell – Enhancing Well-being and Productivity in Multilocational Digitalized Work
