TUS Athlone, Faculty of Business and Hospitality Online Doctoral Colloquium on Innovation

The current Covid-19 pandemic shows one thing to the world: remote working may become a standard in organizational operations. Hence, a study on remote work during and post-Covid pandemic is essential due to the rapid shift from physical to virtual organizational processes and procedures. To create an innovative workforce, the organizations must first understand the link and essentiality of engagement and innovation. Given the move towards hybrid working, organizations will have to embrace the use of technology. Also, managers will have to embrace this innovation and use innovative ways to keep staff engaged. Hence, the importance of the awareness of the rapid economic movement that shape our society. Likewise, with each rapid change, new issues and problems occur. In this case, it is the ability of managers to engage their employees through the virtual setting. Therefore, the proposed study investigates which leadership styles in the private sector enhance employee engagement levels when working from their home. The study will explore its primary aim by evaluating the literature and the effects of different leadership styles and approaches. Moreover, the research will investigate the relationship between leadership styles (traits and behaviours) and employee engagement levels in a virtual setting. The presentation aims to discuss how leaders can motivate the employees during the Covid-19 pandemic while enhancing a futuristic approach to engagement. It is essential to clarify that the Covid situation will undoubtedly change soon; therefore, based on the current studies and assumptions, the presentation will introduce the new emerging trends and strategies to cope with the shifting operations. Conducting this research is hoped to provide relevant knowledge and contribute to organizations' successes in increasing employee engagement and the associated benefits. Such initiatives may be achieved by providing recommendations in the private sector on practical solutions and future proceedings to increase employee engagement within remote environments.

June 2021

DOI:10.6084/m9.figshare.19794115.v1 Conference: Abstract presentation on remote leadership and innovation research.

At: Technological University of the Shannon: Athlone

Authors: Patryk Makowski