Emile du Preez

ID: 8611175125083

Student Number S239931

Research Methods - Week 8: Second Assessment Point

Research Topic: Investigation into the performance and

profitability of organisations when making use of work-from-home

and hybrid-working models.

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Contents

RESEARCH TOPIC, AIM AND OBJECTIVES.........................................................................3

Research Topic..........................................................................................................................3

Aim and Objectives...................................................................................................................5

METHODOLOGY, METHODS AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS...................................5

Methodology.............................................................................................................................5

Methods.....................................................................................................................................6

Ethical Considerations..............................................................................................................7

RESEARCH SCHEDULE/PLAN................................................................................................8

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RESEARCH TOPIC, AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Professionals across the board have a moral obligation to increase scientific knowledge through

investigations and research, in order to increase and update existing knowledge and to improve

the quality of existing systems and processes by publishing these findings (Vivar et. al., 2007,

p. 60).

Research Topic

The research topic I have chosen to investigate, analyse and report on, is the “Investigation into

the performance and profitability of organisations when making use of work-from-home and

hybrid-working models”. Working from home and hybrid working models became well known

and common practice during and subsequent to the Covid-19 Global pandemic. Organizations

endeavoured to continue with operations and business as far as possible even though various

limitations and restrictions were imposed by authorities during the pandemic in order the stop

and limit the spread of the virus. Working from home and hybrid models subsequently became

standard procedure. The pandemic gave organizations the opportunity to have a firsthand view

of the advantages and disadvantages of remote working and how it affects their employees and

operations, something that they would otherwise not have experienced. Covid-19 has started a

revolution with regards to how and where we work, and research has shown that this can

increase productivity and job satisfaction. This however needs to be managed and leadership

needs to ensure that its work force remains inclusive and diverse (Bloom, 2021). Working from

home has however, been around since the 1970’s (Homberg, Lükemann and Abendroth, 2023,

p.74). With the gradual lifting and relaxation of the restrictions imposed during the pandemic,

various companies are moving back to full time office-based work, while other organizations

have opted to adopt work from home and hybrid working models on a permanent basis.

The advantages and disadvantages of working from home compared to office-based work has

become a hot topic in recent times. Various organizations, managers and employees are strong

advocates towards working from home. Flexible working hours, if managed correctly, can have
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various positive effects on job satisfaction, loyalty, staff retention and morale, which can

ultimately lead to an increase in productivity and efficiency. Gould, Koke and Smith, 2023,

p.10, notes that decreased time and money spent on commuting, a flexible schedule, a more

relaxed dress code and no office distraction are some of the main advantages when working

from home. Working from home has also become much easier and convenient in recent times.

Improvements to existing software, implementation of new software and better and more

advanced communication systems and platforms has made remote work effortless. Meetings,

interactions and progress tracking can be effectively managed from almost anywhere

(Homberg, Lükemann and Abendroth, 2023, p. 75). On the other side of the spectrum, there are

also those that believe work from home and hybrid models pose too many risks and

disadvantages and that it is not sustainable. Duanyi et. al., 2023, notes that work-from-home is

associated with higher job satisfaction and well-being but can, however, lead to various other

problems. Working from home can be associated with very long hours of work and intrusion

into family and other personal commitments (Dockery and Bawa, 2014, p. 163) and that office-

based work can have various advantages not possible with remote work, for example

onboarding of new employees and certain communication and cooperation nuances

experienced by means of in person meetings (Kagerl and Starzetz, 2023, p.229). Further to this,

working from home can lead to a decrease in productivity if employees are not properly

managed and take advantage of the flexible working hours. Client relationships also have the

risk of suffering and clients might opt to look for services elsewhere. It is evident that the

opinions with regards to remote working is divided and there is a lot of uncertainty towards the

permanent implementation of work from home models and if it is effective and sustainable.

Although working from home has various advantages, including increased job satisfaction and

the opportunity for employees to spend more time with friends and family, there is a lot of

scepticism as to whether it can be as effective and productive as office-based work and if

employees can be trusted with their responsibilities when not being managed. Further to this,

there is a significant risk with regards to client relationship with work-from-home models as it

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is often difficult to manage and effectively communicate with stakeholders remotely, especially

if clients prefer regular in-person meetings. As different organizations have vastly different

systems, operations, software and functions, it is impossible to recommend and implement a

“once size fits all” model. While remote working might be perfectly suited for some

organizations, it might not at all be feasible for other firms and professions.

Aim and Objectives

The aim of this research project is to comprehensively investigate and analyse the advantages

and disadvantages of working from home and hybrid working models and how these impact

organizations, its employees and its stakeholders, internally and externally, and reporting the

findings in a format that can inform other organizations of how to best implement working-

from-home models. Topics that will be investigated include organizational culture, client

relationship, stakeholder engagement, employee management, progress tracking, management

and leadership, employee well-being, job satisfaction and productivity, and ultimately how all

of these factors affect an organizations profitability. The results of the research might be able to

assists organizations to effectively identify and implement a model, being it work-from-home,

office based or a hybrid system, that is best suited to its operations in order to achieve optimal

performance as well as job satisfaction from its employees and as a result increase its

profitability.

METHODOLOGY, METHODS AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Methodology

A research methodology needs to explain the nature of the knowledge that the researcher is

trying to uncover through philosophical and epistemological justification. Qualitative data

research is based on social constructivism while quantitative research is based on positivism

(Emerald Publishing, 2019).

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For this research project, a mixed method approach and methodological triangulation will be

followed, as both qualitative data (interview analysis, case studies and narrative research) as

well as quantitative data (statistics, experiments, and trend analysis) will be utilised using

secondary data exclusively. Tzagkarakis and Kritas 2023, p. 39, notes that it is generally

accepted that a combination of both quantitative and qualitative research methods often ensures

better results as to when they are used independently. Certain gaps exist when quantitative and

qualitative research methods are used in isolation. These gaps can however be eliminated when

a mixed approach is adopted. Quantitative and qualitative approaches, by means of

triangulation is very effective to identify and analyse different aspects of the research question,

especially as the two methods complement each other and allows for in depth investigation of

the research topic.

Methods

The secondary data that will be sourced for this research topic will be text in the form of open

data sources, previously completed consumer surveys, peer reviewed academic publications,

journals and books. Secondary data analysis is the utilisation of data that was previously

collected for another research project (Bhasin, 2023). The sourced research will be scrutinised,

analysed and repurposed for this report. Secondary data analyses has various advantages, as

noted by Open Learn, 2020. Advantages include:

 Secondary data is easy to obtain and more time efficient and cost effective when

compared to primary data as the data does not need to be collected. The time saved can

often allow for a longer analyses period.

 By using existing databases, information can be collected that would otherwise not be

possible to gain access to, which is especially helpful when data needs to be sourced for

different organizations and/or locations.

 Secondary data is often more reliable than data collected by the researcher due to the

fact large organizations have superior resources when collecting information.

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  Secondary data analysis can also influence and shape the research topic under

investigation.

On the other hand, secondary data also has certain limitations and disadvantages. The main

limitation of secondary research is that the data was collected by someone else for a different

purpose than the research topic under investigation and may not coincide with that which is

being discussed for the current study. The data will thus have to be scrutinised and understood

to ensure that it is relevant and of any use (Open Learn, 2020).

O’Leary, 2020, lists 5 steps in secondary data analysis which will be followed during this

research project:

1. Determining the research question

Formulating and refining a research question with a clear understanding and objective.

2. Sourcing data

Investigating all possible and relevant sources and ensuring that access to the

information is possible and permitted.

3. Evaluating data relevance

Ensuring that the data is recent, relevant and can be remodelled for the purpose of this

report. Aspects like when the data was collected, original purpose of the data, collection

strategy and protocol, limitations and format should be considered.

4. Ensuring the data is credible

All data sources and researched will have to be screened to ensure that the data is

credible.

5. Analysis

Analysis of the data to ensure that it informs the research topic.

Ethical Considerations

There is a growing concern in recent times over ethical issues in corporations globally.

Corporate scandals in the recent past have highlighted the importance of good practice and
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ethics and have initiated the implementation of certain regulations in order to restore faith and

confidence in the integrity of organizations. Organizations can reap various benefits if a

comprehensive ethics code is issued and implemented, including respect for the law, increased

motivation amongst employees, protection of a company’s brand reputation as well as

improved business relationships (Rodriguez-Dominguez, Garcia-Sanchez & Gallego-Alvarez,

2009, p. 291). Secondary data analysis can include large scale surveys, and although there are

normally general agreements in place with regards to sharing this data, certain issues still exist.

The sharing, compiling and storage of data have become easier, faster and more convenient in

recent times, but concerns relating to confidentiality and security remain. Should the data be

freely available on the internet, public forum or book, permission for the utilisation and

analyses of the data is implied, on condition that the original author be acknowledged.

However, if research from another project is not freely available, written permission from the

original research team must be obtained and included in the application for ethical clearance

(Tripathy, 2013). Only secondary data will be utilised during this research project, and

approval should not be needed. The University of Suffolks current ethical guideline will

however strictly be adhered to and all relevant data will be de-identified, consent and

permission will be requested if needed and no damage or distress will be caused through the

publication of the research.

RESEARCH SCHEDULE/PLAN

Indeed (2022), notes that a research plan is a documented overview for the research project and

includes everything from the research conducted up to the published results. This research

project will be broken down into 5 separate phases/milestones with target dates and durations

for each phase. Table 1 presents the programme of the research project.

1. Planning: Planning will include refining and finalising the research topic and research

question, understanding all requirements as well as conducting preliminary research as to

ascertain which sources to utilise.

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2. Literature Review: Reading up and researching existing literature and extracting all relevant

data and ensuring that the sources are credible, reliable and meet ethical standards.

3. Data collection: Extracting all relevant data and organizing the data into a format that is

accessible.

4. Data Analysis and drafting: Analysing and reporting on the data and writing up of the first

draft report. Some data might need to be remodelled for the purpose of this report.

5. Reviewing Revising and referencing: Review and revision of the draft document, final

amendments and adjustments, final editing and ensuring that all sources are referenced

according to the Harvard referencing style.

6. Submission: Submission of the document in the required format.

Table 1: Research Schedule

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Design and Supervision EngineersThe Engineers responsible for the design of the hospital

and responsible for supervision and quality control during construction to ensure that end-

product is constructed according to the design and regulations.

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Word Count: 2009

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References

Bhasin, H. (2023) Sources of secondary data and its advantages and disadvantages,

Marketing91. Available at: https://www.marketing91.com/sources-of-secondary-data/

(Accessed: 15 June 2023).

Bloom, N. (2021) Don’t let employees pick their WFH days, Harvard Business Review.

Available at: https://hbr.org/2021/05/dont-let-employees-pick-their-wfh-days (Accessed: 07

July 2023).

Dockery, A.M. and Bawa, S., 2014. Is Working from Home Good Work or Bad Work?

Evidence from Australian Employees*. Australian Journal of Labour Economics, 17(2), p. 163.

Duanyi, Y., Kelly, E.L., Kubzansky, L.D. and Berkman, L., 2023. Working from Home and

Worker Well-being: New Evidence from Germany. Industrial & labor relations review, 76(3),

pp. 504-531.

Emerald Publishing (2019) How to use mixed methods research? Available at:

https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/how-to/research-methods/using-mixed-methods-

research?part=2 [accessed: 10/09/2021].

Gould, R., Koke, A. and Smith, M., 2023. Lessons Learned about Working from Home during

a Pandemic. Library Leadership & Management (Online), 37(1), p. 10.

Homberg, M., Lükemann, L. and Abendroth, A., 2023. From ‘home work’ to ‘home office

work’?: Perpetuating discourses and use patterns of tele(home)work since the 1970s: historical

and comparative social perspectives. Work Organisation, Labour & Globalisation, 17(1), pp.

74-75.

Indeed (2022) How to write a research plan (plus definition and examples). Available at:

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-research-plan

(Accessed: 07 July 2023).

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Kagerl, C. and Starzetz, J., 2023. Working from home for good? Lessons learned from the

COVID-19 pandemic and what this means for the future of work. The Journal of Business

Economics, 93(1-2), p. 229.

O’Leary, Z. (2020) Steps in secondary data analysis. Sage Publishing. Available at:

https://study.sagepub.com/oleary3e/student-resources/analysing-data/steps-in-secondary-data-

analysis [accessed: 06/09/2021].

Open Learn (2020) Advantages and limitations of secondary data. Available at:

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/money-business/using-data-aid-organisational-change/

content-section-6 [accessed 08/09/2021].

Rodriguez-Dominguez, L., Garcia-Sanchez, I.M. & Gallego-Alvarez, I. (2009) Codes of ethics

in Spanish corporations: an exploratory content analysis. International Journal of 4 Law and

Management, 51(5), p. 291. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Isabel-

Sanchez6/publication/235268114_Codes_of_ethics_in_Spanish_corporations_An_exploratory_

content_analysis/links/53eb2b860cf2dc24b3ce9f53/Codes-of-ethics-in-Spanish-corporations-

An-exploratory-content-analys is.pdf [accessed: 07/09/2021].

Tripathy, J.P. (2013) Secondary Data Analysis: Ethical Issues and challenges, Iranian journal of

public health. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441947/

(Accessed: 07 July 2023).

Tzagkarakis, S.I. and Kritas, D., 2023. Mixed research methods in political science and

governance: approaches and applications. Quality and Quantity, suppl.1, 57, p. 39.

Vivar, C.G., Mcqueen, A., Whyte, D.A. and Navidad, C.A., 2007. Getting started with

qualitative research: developing a research proposal. Nurse Researcher (through 2013), 14(3),

p. 60.

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