The Impact of Remote Work on Employee Productivity and Organizational Culture: A Case Study of Iranian Education Sectors

The COVID-۱۹ pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work across many sectors, including education, compelling institutions to rapidly adapt to new operational paradigms. This study investigates the impact of remote work on employee productivity and organizational culture within the Iranian education sector. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from ۳۵۰ employees through surveys and ۲۵ in-depth interviews with faculty and administrative staff from universities and schools across Iran. Quantitative analysis indicates that approximately ۶۸% of respondents maintained or improved productivity after transitioning to remote work, primarily due to flexible scheduling and reduced commuting time. However, ۲۲% reported productivity challenges linked to technological limitations and home environment distractions. Importantly, employees with reliable internet access and dedicated workspaces experienced significantly higher productivity. Qualitative findings reveal that while formal communication channels remained functional, remote work negatively affected informal interactions critical to organizational culture, such as trust, collaboration, and morale. Participants reported a decline in social cohesion and spontaneous teamwork, which are vital for innovation and employee engagement in education settings. Nevertheless, adaptive leadership, increased communication frequency, and digital tools helped mitigate cultural disruptions. Challenges such as technological infrastructure gaps, balancing supervision with autonomy, and preserving face-to-face cultural norms emerged as key issues. Conversely, remote work also offered opportunities for enhanced work-life balance and inclusivity. This study recommends a hybrid work model that integrates the benefits of remote work with periodic in-person engagement to sustain productivity and organizational culture. Investments in digital infrastructure, leadership training, and employee support are essential to realize the full potential of remote work in the Iranian education sector. The findings contribute valuable insights to the growing literature on remote work in emerging economies and provide practical guidance for policymakers and educational administrators navigating post-pandemic work arrangements.

کلیدواژه ها:

Remote work ، employee productivity ، organizational culture ، education sector ، Iran.