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From Carbon Savings to Collaboration: A Global Study on Sustaining Remote Project Teams in the Post-Pandemic Era

Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Remote work has become a widespread practice following the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant changes in how project teams operate. While remote work has been associated with environmental benefits such as reduced commuting, its broader sustainability implications remain less clearly understood, particularly in relation to organizational performance and employee well-being. The aim of the study was to examine how remote work influences sustainability in project teams by considering both environmental and organizational sustainability. The objectives were to analyze commuting patterns, resource usage, and work practices, as well as to evaluate impacts on collaboration, productivity, and employee experience. A mixed-methods approach was applied. Quantitative data were collected through a survey, and qualitative insights were obtained through semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to identify key patterns and relationships. The results indicated that remote work contributed to environmental sustainability mainly through reduced commuting and increased use of digital work practices. At the same time, organizational challenges were also identified, including reduction in informal interaction, communication complexities, and concerns relating to career visibility. The findings also showed that sustainability outcomes varied depending on the context such as work arrangements and prior commuting patterns. The study concluded that remote work can be sustainable in the long run, in project teams when both environmental and organizational factors are considered together. A balanced and structured approach to remote work practices was identified as essential for achieving long-term sustainability outcomes.
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7161917850
Cites: 17
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Related to: 10