Dr. Daniel Wroblewski Successfully Defends Dissertation

Work-from-home arrangements, flexible working hours and virtual teams – our working landscape has changed significantly over the past five years. While these changes offer greater flexibility and freedom and are therefore viewed positively by many, "they also introduce a potential increase in uncertainty among employees (followers) about expectations related to their tasks and their relationship with their managers (leaders). These uncertainties could ultimately jeopardise the followers' performance in terms of taking responsibility for and engaging in their tasks," says Dr. Daniel Wroblewski.

In his dissertation, which he successfully defended on 20 December, Wroblewski examined strategies to counteract the potential negative effects of these new working models. His research highlights the importance of maintaining consistent communication between leaders and followers, whether through digital channels or face-to-face interactions, as such interactions positively influence employee performance by increasing clarity and perceived ownership of tasks. In addition, positive perceptions of leaders' commitment and goal orientation have a positive impact on overall work outcomes. In summary, Wroblewski suggests that remote managers can positively influence employee performance with minimal effort.