Title: Exploring agile working beyond the COVID-19 emergency: an empirical analysis on Italian public organisations

Authors: Alessandro Francesco Sinatra; Mara Soncin; Michela Arnaboldi

Addresses: Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Raffaele Lambruschini, 4/B, 20156 Milano, Italy ' Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Raffaele Lambruschini, 4/B, 20156 Milano, Italy ' Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Raffaele Lambruschini, 4/B, 20156 Milano, Italy

Abstract: Agile working (AW) in the public sector accelerated significantly as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explores the implementation and evolution of AW, utilising qualitative analyses to provide a comprehensive overview. The research design includes interviews with general directors and AW coordinators, the analysis of organisational documents, and data from an ad hoc survey monitoring the level of AW adoption in Italy during and after the COVID-19 emergency. The results highlight heterogeneity in the adoption of AW in the public sector, especially in the transition from emergency to non-emergency conditions. Insights into technological and regulatory changes and human resource management practices reveal growing commitment to work flexibility and increased digitalisation in public organisations. This study adds to our understanding of AW in public organisations during and after the pandemic, demonstrating that an organisational approach to AW can have implications on change management and organisational innovation.

Keywords: agile working; remote working; teleworking; flexible working; COVID-19; public organisations; organisational choice.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMDM.2026.152086

International Journal of Management and Decision Making, 2026 Vol.25 No.2, pp.101 - 128

Received: 04 Dec 2024
Accepted: 11 Jun 2025
Published online: 06 Mar 2026 *

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