REMOTE WORK AND EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY IN POST-PANDEMIC ORGANIZATIONS IN DELTA STATE

ABSTRACT: This study examined remote work and employee productivity in post-pandemic organizations in Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the effect of work flexibility on employee productivity in post-pandemic organizations in Delta State and evaluated the effect of digital communication and collaboration on employee productivity in post-pandemic organizations in Delta State. The study adopted a survey research design. The population of the study comprised employees of selected post-pandemic organizations operating in Delta State, while a sample size of 294 respondents was determined using appropriate sampling techniques. Primary data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires. The validity of the instrument was established through face and content validity, while reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability method with coefficients above the acceptable threshold of 0.70. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and Multiple Regression Analysis with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 27). The findings revealed that work flexibility significantly and positively affects employee productivity in post-pandemic organizations in Delta State (β = 0.472, t = 8.315, p < 0.05). The study also found that digital communication and collaboration significantly influence employee productivity in post-pandemic organizations in Delta State (β = 0.389, t = 6.947, p < 0.05). Furthermore, correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships among the study variables, with work flexibility and employee productivity recording a correlation coefficient of r = 0.741, while digital communication and collaboration recorded r = 0.708 with employee productivity. The regression model produced an adjusted R-square value of 0.671, indicating that remote work variables explained 67.1% variation in employee productivity among post-pandemic organizations in Delta State. The study concluded that remote work practices significantly improve employee productivity in post-pandemic organizations in Delta State. The findings suggest that organizations that provide flexible work arrangements and effective digital communication platforms experience improved employee efficiency, collaboration, and job performance. The study therefore recommended that organizations should strengthen flexible work policies that allow employees to balance work responsibilities and personal commitments in order to sustain productivity. The study also recommended that management should invest in advanced digital communication and collaboration technologies, continuous employee training, and reliable virtual work systems to enhance effective teamwork and organizational productivity in post-pandemic work environments.

KEYWORDS: Remote work, work flexibility, digital communication, collaboration, employee productivity.