Paper Example: Smart Working Method Application in Companies

The survey monkey research method has been ideal in finding out the results of the implementation of smart working in Italy. Results obtained through the Survey Monkey online process are authentic. According to the survey, the smart working (SW) method is dominant in Italy. The research presented a questionnaire document for collecting data from the participants. According to the responses to question 1.5 in the questionnaire, 72% of the participants acknowledged working in companies that employ smart working.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

In comparison, 28% confirmed working in organizations that do not use smart working (Fig 1.0). Research indicates that most of the employees embrace and benefit from the smart working programs in their companies. Research findings suggest that smart working implementation is primarily by big and midsize companies. However, other small firms are employing the practice as well. Research findings indicate that most of the employees support the method because it helps people live balanced and fulfilled lives.

In the survey in which 57% of the participants were men and 43% women, 69% of those who did not have smart working acknowledged that they would be employing the method in the future (Fig 2.0). The research involved workers working in management and general employees. Self-employed participants comprised 8% while the executives and the employees were 70% and 20% respectively. The study also involved participants from various occupations, including finance at 26%, retail at 15%, and 18% for manufacturing professionals. Participants included professions from Information Communication Technology, media personnel at 20%, 7%, and 14%. The number of organizations and entrepreneurs using SW is increasing rapidly according to the collected data.

Factors that Inspires Smart Working Application in Organizations

Most employees fancied using smart working because of the benefits that come handy with the method. According to the data collected, most workers prefer smart working because of work freedom and work balance associated with using it. Most of the workers prefer smart working because of the flexibility of working from home. The executives indicate that offering the employees with the technology that will help them work remotely is one of the steps for working smart. The research findings suggest that innovational and external bench is among the primary motivators for applying the SW project in most companies at 37%. Innovations supported by the digital era are significantly helping in the transition from the traditional to the current smart working method.

The Italian government is also supportive of remote workers and has legislation that protects all income earners, including the remote workers. According to the study, most entrepreneurs and business executives prefer smart working and innovation because of effectiveness in increasing output. Most f the manufacturers ascertain that exploiting technology, which is one of the features of working smart, is significant in promoting business growth. According to the data collected using the questionnaire, Innovation and external benchmark inspired the initiation of smart working in most organizations at 38%. Fig 3.0 Innovations and working smart are the primary factors that lead to business sustainability because of increased efficiency.

Employee flexibility and satisfaction are also reasons why most entrepreneurs and executives chose to incorporate smart working in their program. Employee motivation comprised 35% of the motivating factors (Fig 3.0). Industrial managers assert that employee satisfaction is one of the factors that enhance productivity. The managers also say that improving the smart working model is an excellent thing because it boosts employee satisfaction, which interns make them productive (Bhasin, 2018). Bhasin, a human resource expert, states that improving the employee improves the company. He also asserts that creating a good working environment promotes employee satisfaction. Satisfied employees will lead to customer satisfaction and business sustainability (Bhasin, 2018).

Reducing cost is also another that leads to the application of smart working in most organizations. According to the research findings, every entrepreneur is determined to cut costs and increase returns using the study monkey technique. Cutting costs have, therefore, contributed to 15% while compared to other factors because entrepreneurs perceive reducing costs as one of the benefits of smart working. Disseminating culture and improving productivity also comprises of the factors that motivate companies to employ smart working. Some company executives think that it is a high time for the companies to break from the monotonous traditional method and embrace the smart working project.

Challenges of Implementing the Smart Work Project

Despite the effectiveness and benefits associated with the use of smart working, its implementation is not without some challenges. Resistance from top managers is one of the difficulties smart working promoters face while trying to suggest its application in their organizations. According to Torre & Sarti, some managers are afraid of smart working because of the freedoms that it accords to the employees (Torre & Sarti, 2018). The duo also argues that the managers oppose the methods because of employee flexibility, such as working from home, making it difficult for managers to make follow-ups (Torre & Sarti, 2018). Most human resources managers prefer the traditional work method with the traditional office setup over smart working initiatives such as remote working for effective workforce management and communication (Torre & Sarti, 2018). Lack of a better understanding of smart working by the managers also makes them down efforts to introduce the program. Research findings indicate that opposition from managers contributes to the challenges affecting SW implementation by 25%.

Communications challenges and inability to geed feedback by the managers affect smart working implementation by 15%. Research data indicates that some individuals also oppose smart working because of perceived extreme individual responsibility (Errichiello & Pianese, 2019). Remote workers also hardly receive information on changes happening in their firms from their managers. According to the study, implementing the smart working program can be problematic for remote workers. Remote workers face problems, including isolation and lack of information because of being away from the office. Employee isolation may cause psychological problems for remote workers. The isolation and stigma enacted on smart workers may affect their ability to deliver quality.

Entrepreneurs and executives also discourage the implementation of the smart working project because of additional requirements and adjustments, such as extra spaces necessary for its success. Smart working also requires a massive investment in technological features such as VPN, personal computers, and expensive software. Implementing the change from a traditional working program to smart working is a complex activity and requires a proper preparation. Remote working is also challenging and may discourage smart working. Remote workers face challenges such as being unable to create a balance between work and personal life. Remote working could, therefore, result in burnout and depression and may affect the employee's performance.

Benefits of Smart Working

Working from home is the primary feature and benefit of smart working. Working from is satisfying and significant to some workers, such as lactating and pregnant women. Working from home, therefore, helps them to balance parenting and work needs resulting in satisfaction. According to the research, 9% of the workforce indicates that their time is very flexible, while 13% indicate that their time is not flexible. Most workers at 63% work from their homes when not in the office while 25% and 12% work from public and working spaces, respectively. Research results indicate that most individuals are improving in either moderately or significantly in managing their own time. The majority of the smart workers also have a strong sense of attachment to their organizations resulting from smart working program implementation. The majority of the participants have realized a sense of satisfaction, according to the Italy-based survey. Another high percentage has also been realizing significant work improvement after the initiation of the smart working program.

Most of the participants indicated that that smart working increased their work quantity. Research indicates that remote workers are at times productive than traditional office workers (Jensen et al., 2020). Jensen et al. assert that remote workers are industrious and often extra hours, which increases the quantity of their output (Jensen et al., 2020). Smart workers also assert that remote working improves their work confidence and autonomy. However, working with timelines and deadlines is mandatory for their success. Remote workers also record that they get help from their colleagues and managers while working from home.

References

Bhasin, H. (2018). EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION AND MORALE AMONG THE SKILLED WORKFORCE OF STEEL MANUFACTURING PLANT. Journal of Organisation & Human Behaviour, 7(4). https://www.academia.edu/download/60710616/482_0420190926-49845-ttejw8.pdf

Errichiello, L., & Pianese, T. (2019). Toward a theory on workplaces for smart workers. Facilities https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/F-11-2018-0137/full/html.

Jensen, N., Lyons, E., Chebelyon, E., Le Bras, R., & Gomes, C. (2020). Conspicuous monitoring and remote work. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 176, 489-511.

Torre, T., & Sarti, D. (2018). Into Smart Work Practices: Which Challenges for the HR Department?. In Working in Digital and Smart Organizations (pp. 249-275). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-77329-2_12