Perceived productivity when working from home: Insights into the global experience

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to provide insights into the experiences of working from home (WFH) in a global context from the perspective of perceived productivity. Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses a multivariate analysis benefiting from an extensive data set of almost 137,500 respondents from 88 countries. Findings: This paper find that most respondents are satisfied with their productivity when WFH: 70% agree or strongly agree with “My home environment enables me to work productively”. The results further show that socio-demographic factors, as well as the social and physical settings at home, are associated with the perceptions of productivity. Being younger, dissatisfied with the physical setting and the presence of others at home seem to decrease the probability of being satisfied with productivity, whereas being female seems to increase it. However, some differences between countries exist when controlling for socio-demographic factors, presence of others and physical setting at home. Practical implications: The results enhance understanding of perceived productivity in different countries while WFH and provide valuable insights for employers, employees and policymakers on how to support WFH effectively. Originality/value: The value of this paper lies in its investigation of socio-demographic factors, as well as the social and physical home environment, in relation to perceptions of productivity within a truly global context, while also comparing differences between countries.