Date of Award

5-5-2021

Access Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Human Factors & Systems

Department

Human Factors and Systems

Committee Chair

Dr. Clint R. Balog

First Committee Member

Dr. Dennis A. Vincenzi

Abstract

Home-based remote work systems present a unique set of cognitive performance and work task performance challenges to employees without remote work experience. The COVID-19 pandemic forced companies into transforming their work system structures, and their employee roles, without the preparation or education of the dynamics that surround home-based remote work systems. This thesis benefits the Human Factors community by investigating the effects of at-home remote-based work environments on cognitive performance, and work task performance, of employees who currently work remotely from home. A multimethod approach was employed to carry out this research. A survey was administered to home-based remote employees, with varying levels of remote work experience, to investigate the cognitive and work task performance issues as they relate to the at-home remote work environment. While this study did not yield statistically significant results, it did identify key themes and distinctions between experienced remote workers and inexperienced remote workers as they relate to cognitive and work task performance. Furthermore, it did identify an interrelationship between cognitive performance and work task performance. Findings in this study can serve as a baseline of understanding for employers, and researchers, interested in developing effective, contemporary, home-based remote-work systems, policies, and procedures that are congruent with current societal conditions.

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