Remote working and team motivation: consideration for the LMX model

Abstract

This study investigates the Leader Member Exchange (LMX) model and job satisfaction for employees working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research is based on 22 semi-structured interviews conducted with consultants on different career levels within a multinational corporation (MNC) in 2022. The results indicate that the shift to remote work, during the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought new considerations to the LMX model and job satisfaction. In addition, it also positively impacted economic, environmental, and social sustainability goals. The qualitative study identifies three aggregated key factors, conducted from the interview data, that contribute to job satisfaction in a remote work setting: (1) methods of collaboration, (2) performing through collaboration, and (3) identification with work and employer. These findings offer valuable insight on remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also provide a foundation for further research on remote and hybrid work and collaboration models, whilst providing understanding on their alignment to economic, environmental, and social sustainability goals.