Vol. 12 No. 3 (2026)
September 2026

Articles

Navigating the digital transition: Work flexibility, organisational trust, and remote work disadvantages

Published 2026-09-30

  • Katarzyna Woźniak-Jasińska
    • ,
  • Katarzyna Mierzejewska
    • ,
  • Dr. Michał Chomicki

Katarzyna Woźniak-Jasińska
Poznań University of Economics and Business

Katarzyna Mierzejewska
Poznań University of Economics and Business

Dr. Michał Chomicki
Poznań University of Economics and Business

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the article is to identify the relationship between work flexibility and organisational trust, as well as the moderating role of remote work disadvantages in this relationship. Specifically, this study explores how work flexibility influences trust between organisations and remote workers and the role that remote work disadvantages play in this dynamic.

Research Design & Methods: The study employed survey data gathered by a professional research firm that used the Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) method and involved a randomly selected sample of 322 Polish remote employees. The Ordinary Least Squares regression analysis and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis were used.

Findings: The findings indicate that work flexibility positively affects organisational trust, and reveal that remote work disadvantages, such as excessive monitoring and communication challenges, negatively impact organisational trust. Interestingly, our findings suggest that in challenging remote work environments, employees may place greater value on work flexibility as a mechanism for maintaining trust.

Implications & Recommendations: These insights hold practical implications for policies, suggesting that employers aiming to enhance organisational trust should focus on fostering a culture of mutual trust rather than relying excessively on monitoring mechanisms. Additionally, employers should implement flexible work arrangements that support employees in managing remote work-related challenges.

Contribution & Value Added: The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between work flexibility and organisational trust, emphasising the moderating role of remote work disadvantages. Our results confirm that work flexibility positively influences organisational trust, aligning with prior research indicating that remote work environments necessitate a higher level of trust due to the shift in responsibility from employers to employees.

Keywords

labour market, remote work, work flexibility, organisational trust, remote work disadvantages

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Author Biography

Katarzyna Woźniak-Jasińska

Assistant Professor, Department of Macroeconomics and Development Studies, Poznań University of Economics and Business, Poland. Her research interests include labour market, remote and hybrid work, employees’ health, health economics.

Katarzyna Mierzejewska

Assistant Professor, Department of Organisation and Management Theory, Poznań University of Economics and Business, Poland. Her research interests include business psychology, remote and hybrid work, energy market.

Dr. Michał Chomicki

Assistant Professor, Department of Organisation and Management Theory, Poznań University of Economics and Business, Poland. His research interests include process management, dynamic capabilities, remote and hybrid work.

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