Abstract:
This thesis investigates the transformative effects of remote and hybrid work models on the leadership landscape within contemporary organizations. The first chapter provides an in-depth exploration of remote work and hybrid work structures, elucidating their defining characteristics, evolution, and prevalence in modern workplaces. It presents an analysis of the advantages, challenges, and implications associated with these work arrangements, laying the foundation for understanding their broader impact on leadership roles. The second chapter scrutinizes the nuanced shifts and transformations experienced by leadership due to the adoption of remote and hybrid work settings. It investigates the altered dynamics of leadership responsibilities, behaviors, and competencies necessitated by the dispersion and diversification of the workforce. It delves into the challenges encountered by leaders in fostering collaboration, communication, and team cohesion across varied work modalities, emphasizing the evolving nature of leadership styles and approaches in response to these novel work environments. The empirical focus of the third chapter involves a comprehensive survey conducted among a sample of managers situated in the Altovicentino area who have encountered and managed remote and hybrid work scenarios. Through this empirical investigation, the study seeks to gather firsthand insights and perspectives on the practical experiences, challenges, and adaptations faced by leaders in navigating these new forms of work organization. The empirical findings serve to corroborate and enrich the theoretical framework established in earlier chapters, offering valuable real-world insights into the evolving role of leadership in the context of remote and hybrid work environments. This thesis aims to contribute a comprehensive understanding of how remote and hybrid work paradigms have reshaped the leadership role, drawing upon both theoretical analyses and empirical evidence from managers actively engaged in these evolving work arrangements within the Altovicentino area. The insights generated from this research endeavor hold practical implications for organizational leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders navigating the complexities of contemporary work dynamics.