Fostering an innovative climate while working remotely : How to overcome the challenges of remote work

Abstract: Purpose - This study aims to identify how remote work may negatively influence the innovative climate, and how organizations can overcome the identified challenges. In doing so, we present challenges of remote work and solutions of how organizations, leaders, and employees can manage the challenges.  Method – The analysis was based on 18 interviews with industry experts and employees at the case study company, as well as secondary data regarding best practices. We combined and analyzed all data by thematic analysis. Findings - We identified 12 challenges with remote work that negatively influences the innovative climate within four areas: communication, collaboration, resources, and leadership. We have also mapped out 14 solutions to overcome those identified challenges.  Theoretical contribution - Remote work has been investigated several times but the connection to the innovative climate has not earlier been established. Thus, in this study, we bridge the gap between the challenges of remote work and the innovative climate at organizations. Additionally, independent of the COVID-19 pandemic, we contribute with findings on how remote work may negatively influence the innovative climate in organizations, how organizations can overcome these challenges, and how an innovative climate can be fostered remotely. Practical implications - We show how remote work negatively influences the innovative climate at organizations and what leaders, employees, and organizations could do to overcome these challenges and foster innovation despite working remotely. See appendix 4, 5, 7, and 8 for practical guidelines that describe what four different stakeholders (leaders, employees, organizations, and meeting moderators) can do, and appendix 6 for a suggested etiquette for remote meetings. Limitations of the study - We collected most of the data through one company in the high technology industry focused on gathering qualitative findings. Thus, our findings might be limited in terms of generalizability. Therefore, validation of our findings in other industries would be interesting for future research.