Remote Work: More Nuance and Unknowns than Broad Generalizations

Drawing on the existing integrative evidence (e.g., reviews, meta-analyses, theory papers) since 2016, the current review synthesizes the remote work literature and identifies conclusions that can be drawn based on the current evidence. The review spans three remote work clusters: telecommuting, computer-mediated work, and virtual teams. Four major conclusions were identified: (1) remote work tends to be cost-effective for the organization, but the cost-effectiveness can vary based on context; (2) remote work comes with trade-offs for most employees, and not all employees will thrive in remote work settings; (3) degree of virtuality is likely an important moderator, regardless of the outcomes of interest; and (4) there is a lot we do not know about what leads to effective remote work or how to ensure a sufficient likelihood of effectiveness. Sources of current unknowns in the literature are reviewed (e.g., understudied constructs, the absolute importance of key factors), and recommendations for future research and practice are provided.