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Contribution Details

Type Bachelor's Thesis
Scope Discipline-based scholarship
Title Telework Arrangements: Power Dynamics in the Superior-Subordinate Relation
Organization Unit
Authors
  • Jakob Richi
Supervisors
  • Tania Weinfurtner
Language
  • English
Institution University of Zurich
Faculty Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics
Date 2018
Abstract Text This purpose of this research is to investigate how the power dynamics in the superior-subordinate relationship in telework arrangements change compared to traditional work modes and management practices. Two extensive literature reviews were conducted, fo-cusing on the superior-subordinate relationship in telework arrangements and the power dynamics of the aforementioned relationship. A theoretical framework for describing the power dynamics in the superior-subordinate relationship was developed based on the two literature reviews. A questionnaire was derived from the framework to systematically ex-plore the research question in and guide the nine conducted semi-structured interviews with superiors and subordinates. The generated data was analyzed using template analysis followed by a discussion of the results with respect to the relevant literature. The results of the study revealed mutual trust to be essential to high-quality superior-subordinate re-lationships, as also commonly described in literature. Mutual trust enabled teams to openly communicate with each other and enabled functioning of the relationship by rely-ing on the acknowledgement of personal responsibility by both superior and subordinates. The study hinted further that the introduction of telework arrangements often comes with an increase of transparency in organizations and a reduction of individual’s dependency on other member of the members of the organization through the strategic use of ICT, knowledge management systems and purposefully designed working areas. Furthermore, the interviews showed no clear indication of a change in the structure or hierarchy of organizations through the introduction of telework arrangements.
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