Trust-Based Leadership in Hybrid Work: A Case Study of a Large Swedish Technology Company
(2024) BUSN09 20241Department of Business Administration
- Abstract
- The phenomenon of hybrid work, combining remote and on-site work, has gained popularity in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift has introduced new dynamics in the workplace, calling for a reevaluation of leadership practices in order to address the challenges and opportunities hybrid work brings. Despite the growing usage of hybrid work models, there is limited research on the field of hybrid work and leadership. Existing studies provide general insights without delving into how leadership in hybrid work can vary across nations, industries and organizations. Thus, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate the impact of hybrid work on organizational performance and leadership in a large Swedish technology company. The... (More)
- The phenomenon of hybrid work, combining remote and on-site work, has gained popularity in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift has introduced new dynamics in the workplace, calling for a reevaluation of leadership practices in order to address the challenges and opportunities hybrid work brings. Despite the growing usage of hybrid work models, there is limited research on the field of hybrid work and leadership. Existing studies provide general insights without delving into how leadership in hybrid work can vary across nations, industries and organizations. Thus, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate the impact of hybrid work on organizational performance and leadership in a large Swedish technology company. The methodology of the study consisted of a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather insights from four leaders and five followers within a single case company.
The study revealed that hybrid work positively impacts organizations by improving creativity, collaboration, and culture. Employees experienced increased focus and less disturbance while addressing individual tasks from home, having positive effects on organizational creativity and collaboration. Additionally, hybrid work positively influences creativity and culture through better work-life balance. Trust between leaders and followers emerged as a critical factor for the positive effects on creativity, collaboration and culture. To foster trust, the findings suggest the leadership elements of communication, transparency, and adaptability to specific situations, as significant. The study contributes to the academic field by broadening the research on hybrid work’s effects in organizations, and deepening the literature on leadership in hybrid work. The contribution was conceptualized through the creation of “The Trust-based Hybrid Leadership Model”, illustrating the interrelations between the factors and elements of hybrid work and leadership in the study. To provide practical relevance for leaders in the technology industry, the study proposes principles leaders can adopt to practice efficient hybrid leadership, compiled as “Eight Principles of Hybrid Leadership”. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9161581
- author
- Nilervall, Axel LU and Lindvert Elmefur, Hannes LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- BUSN09 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
- subject
- keywords
- Hybrid Work, Leadership, Creativity, Collaboration, Culture, Trust, Communication, Transparency, Adaptability
- language
- English
- id
- 9161581
- date added to LUP
- 2024-06-26 12:47:01
- date last changed
- 2024-06-26 12:47:01
@misc{9161581,
abstract = {{The phenomenon of hybrid work, combining remote and on-site work, has gained popularity in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift has introduced new dynamics in the workplace, calling for a reevaluation of leadership practices in order to address the challenges and opportunities hybrid work brings. Despite the growing usage of hybrid work models, there is limited research on the field of hybrid work and leadership. Existing studies provide general insights without delving into how leadership in hybrid work can vary across nations, industries and organizations. Thus, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate the impact of hybrid work on organizational performance and leadership in a large Swedish technology company. The methodology of the study consisted of a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather insights from four leaders and five followers within a single case company.
The study revealed that hybrid work positively impacts organizations by improving creativity, collaboration, and culture. Employees experienced increased focus and less disturbance while addressing individual tasks from home, having positive effects on organizational creativity and collaboration. Additionally, hybrid work positively influences creativity and culture through better work-life balance. Trust between leaders and followers emerged as a critical factor for the positive effects on creativity, collaboration and culture. To foster trust, the findings suggest the leadership elements of communication, transparency, and adaptability to specific situations, as significant. The study contributes to the academic field by broadening the research on hybrid work’s effects in organizations, and deepening the literature on leadership in hybrid work. The contribution was conceptualized through the creation of “The Trust-based Hybrid Leadership Model”, illustrating the interrelations between the factors and elements of hybrid work and leadership in the study. To provide practical relevance for leaders in the technology industry, the study proposes principles leaders can adopt to practice efficient hybrid leadership, compiled as “Eight Principles of Hybrid Leadership”.}},
author = {{Nilervall, Axel and Lindvert Elmefur, Hannes}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Trust-Based Leadership in Hybrid Work: A Case Study of a Large Swedish Technology Company}},
year = {{2024}},
}