Tiimien koheesio hybridityössä – Hybridityön vaikutukset ja lähestymistavat hybridityön kehittämiseen
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: After the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid work has become the standard work model for the majority of knowledge workers globally. However, the adaptation of the hybrid work has brough unique challenges for organizations. One of the key issues for team functioning is reduced face-to-face interaction, which creates challenges for communication and social interaction resulting in organizations having hard times in keeping teams cohesive. The thesis seeks to understand the effects of hybrid work on team cohesion and the underlying mechanisms behind. Further, to provide comprehensive approach for improving team cohesion in hybrid work, the thesis investigates the importance and outcomes of team cohesion dimensions and introduces practical ways for developing hybrid work. To explore the phenomena of focus, the thesis utilizes the grounded theory approach in forming a model for developing hybrid work to support team cohesion. The primary data of the thesis is collected through semi-structured interviews with teams of the collaborative organization leading to total of 16 individual interviews. Despite the interviews being conducted with the teams of the collaborative organization, the findings are generalizable for other organizations especially in similar industries to software industry. The thesis found that with appropriate practices in place, hybrid work is likely to have only minor negative effects on team cohesion dimensions of task cohesion, social cohesion and group pride. The key factors for ensuring team cohesion revolve around effective communication and coordination utilizing both virtual medium and inperson communication together with regular team office days. All the cohesion dimensions are found to be highly important, however, social cohesion improved the other cohesion dimensions in addition to individual well-being highlighting the importance of the dimension. Similarly, group pride proved to be crucial for team viability and work motivation. The thesis presents focused approaches for improving the three cohesion dimensions yet emphasises organizations to retain autonomy and flexibility of hybrid work and take individual preferences into account.
Source: Aaltodoc (Aalto University)
Author: Rouhelo, Otto
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6987571935