Exploring the viability of remote work for SME

Purpose: This study aims to identify and examine the relevance of implementing remote work by small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business operators during the post-COVID-19 era in developing nations. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilised a qualitative methodology, conducting interview...

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Main Authors: Afzal Izzaz Zahari, Dewi Izzwi Abdul Manan, Fazlida Mohd Razali, Salwa Zolkaflil, Jamaliah Said
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-03-01
Series:Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market and Complexity
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2199853123002846
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author Afzal Izzaz Zahari
Dewi Izzwi Abdul Manan
Fazlida Mohd Razali
Salwa Zolkaflil
Jamaliah Said
author_facet Afzal Izzaz Zahari
Dewi Izzwi Abdul Manan
Fazlida Mohd Razali
Salwa Zolkaflil
Jamaliah Said
author_sort Afzal Izzaz Zahari
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: This study aims to identify and examine the relevance of implementing remote work by small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business operators during the post-COVID-19 era in developing nations. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilised a qualitative methodology, conducting interviews with twenty SME businesses, including business leaders and management level employees. It explores the challenges faced by these operators in maintaining remote work and its impact on their business operations. Data was analysed and compiled using ATLAS.ti software. Findings: The findings indicate that not all SME are capable of sustaining remote working environments. The nature of the business plays a crucial role in providing flexibility to employees in their operations. There are also weaknesses in remote work security that need to be addressed, as they can potentially impact business operations and performance. Research limitations/implications: The implications of the pandemic on business operations, regardless of size, are significant globally. This study sheds light on the challenges faced by SME in implementing remote work and its feasibility in the post-COVID-19 period. Originality/value: The content of this paper is based on information, observations, and discussions with SME operators on how COVID-19 has compelled their businesses to adapt to the changing environment. Previously, there was no urgency for businesses to embrace remote work operations, but the pandemic has forced them to adopt such measures.
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spelling doaj.art-4c9b093dab264c10b553b3386ede223f2024-04-09T04:12:47ZengElsevierJournal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market and Complexity2199-85312024-03-01101100182Exploring the viability of remote work for SMEAfzal Izzaz Zahari0Dewi Izzwi Abdul Manan1Fazlida Mohd Razali2Salwa Zolkaflil3Jamaliah Said4School of Management, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, MalaysiaFaculty of Business, Accountancy & Social Sciences, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia, 56100 Cheras, MalaysiaAccounting Research Institute, Universiti Technology MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, MalaysiaAccounting Research Institute, Universiti Technology MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia; Corresponding author.Accounting Research Institute, Universiti Technology MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, MalaysiaPurpose: This study aims to identify and examine the relevance of implementing remote work by small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business operators during the post-COVID-19 era in developing nations. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilised a qualitative methodology, conducting interviews with twenty SME businesses, including business leaders and management level employees. It explores the challenges faced by these operators in maintaining remote work and its impact on their business operations. Data was analysed and compiled using ATLAS.ti software. Findings: The findings indicate that not all SME are capable of sustaining remote working environments. The nature of the business plays a crucial role in providing flexibility to employees in their operations. There are also weaknesses in remote work security that need to be addressed, as they can potentially impact business operations and performance. Research limitations/implications: The implications of the pandemic on business operations, regardless of size, are significant globally. This study sheds light on the challenges faced by SME in implementing remote work and its feasibility in the post-COVID-19 period. Originality/value: The content of this paper is based on information, observations, and discussions with SME operators on how COVID-19 has compelled their businesses to adapt to the changing environment. Previously, there was no urgency for businesses to embrace remote work operations, but the pandemic has forced them to adopt such measures.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2199853123002846COVID-19OperationsRemote workSmall medium enterpriseViabilityPerformance
spellingShingle Afzal Izzaz Zahari
Dewi Izzwi Abdul Manan
Fazlida Mohd Razali
Salwa Zolkaflil
Jamaliah Said
Exploring the viability of remote work for SME
Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market and Complexity
COVID-19
Operations
Remote work
Small medium enterprise
Viability
Performance
title Exploring the viability of remote work for SME
title_full Exploring the viability of remote work for SME
title_fullStr Exploring the viability of remote work for SME
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the viability of remote work for SME
title_short Exploring the viability of remote work for SME
title_sort exploring the viability of remote work for sme
topic COVID-19
Operations
Remote work
Small medium enterprise
Viability
Performance
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2199853123002846
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AT dewiizzwiabdulmanan exploringtheviabilityofremoteworkforsme
AT fazlidamohdrazali exploringtheviabilityofremoteworkforsme
AT salwazolkaflil exploringtheviabilityofremoteworkforsme
AT jamaliahsaid exploringtheviabilityofremoteworkforsme