Title: Remote work: challenges and opportunities for increasing its effectiveness in Kuwait

Authors: Dusana Alshatti Schmidt; Matúš Baráth; Eva Brestovanská; Nino Nutsubidze

Addresses: Faculty of Management, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 820 05 Bratislava 25, Slovakia ' Department of International Management, Faculty of Management, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 820 05 Bratislava 25, Slovakia ' Department of International Management, Faculty of Management, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 820 05 Bratislava 25, Slovakia ' Faculty of Management, Kutaisi International University, Youth Avenue, 5th Lane, K Building, Kutaisi, 4600, Georgia

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to generate new insights into the theory of remote work from the Arab region by exploring employees' experience on working away from office during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait. The aim was to identify key challenges employees faced while working remotely and find opportunities for increasing the effectiveness of remote work practices. Using quantitative approach, 385 anonymous responses were collected. Findings show that employees had predominantly positive experience with the remote work. Employees were able to perform work tasks more efficiently and had more space for professional development. However, it was challenging to adapt to new working conditions, balance work and caring responsibilities and cope with feelings of loneliness and isolation. The article further discusses respondents' recommendation towards the management and identifies other strategies to improve remote employee experience.

Keywords: flexibility; remote work; employee; Kuwait; COVID-19; pandemic.

DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2024.135143

Middle East Journal of Management, 2024 Vol.11 No.1, pp.1 - 22

Received: 16 Jun 2022
Accepted: 16 Aug 2022
Published online: 01 Dec 2023 *

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