Together Apart: Influences and Barriers to Engagement Among Remote Workers

Author

Stacey-Robin H. Johnson, CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-29-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Program of Study

Communication - Corporate Communication

Language

English

First Advisor

Steven Dishart

Second Advisor

Michael Bayer

Third Advisor

Michael Goodman, Ph.D

Abstract

Organizations recognize the importance of having employees who do more than 'show up' for work. Rather, the goal is to have employees who will adapt to, embody, and promote the values, agenda, and strategic purposes of the organization beyond their work life. In the efforts around engagement, there are key influences in the organizational lifespan of an employee that can inspire or discourage engagement attitudes and behaviors.

Remote workers (defined here as those who work outside of a central, collective work setting) present unique challenges, the most pressing being maintaining a sense of connection and inclusion among the group in the absence of tangible signifiers, such as an office setting. Despite the much-touted benefits of remote working, remote workers confront isolation and are primarily reliant on technology to forge and maintain relationships with colleagues and clients.

Together Apart explores the roles peer and manager support, socialization, organizational culture, technology, and prevailing attitudes around remote work arrangements, play as positive influences or hindrances to employee engagement among the remote worker cohort.

Recommended Citation

Johnson, Stacey-Robin H., "Together Apart: Influences and Barriers to Engagement Among Remote Workers" (2019). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/bb_etds/104