Dr. Subramanya Manjunath
Former Principal and Dean, SSIMS, Tumkur, Karnataka
Visiting Faculty: Christ University and Jain University, Bangalore
Advisor – HRM to Industries and Corporate Trainer
Email: drmsblr@gmail.com
Abstract
The world has witnessed and experienced COVID-19 as one of the biggest traumas and nightmares at the end of the last decade of the twenty-first century. While human beings are accustomed to the ‘new normal’ way of living in the post-COVID era, business enterprises are in the transition phase and may need a long time to reach normalcy and attain their full potential.
This research has made an attempt to get an insight into the changing nature of work, workplace strategies, and the impact of COVID-19 on the sustainability of business in the post-pandemic era.
The study emphasises the changing nature of work in the post-COVID era by elucidating factors such as flexibility, remote working, hybrid models of working, virtual platforms, digital transformation, and cyber security.
Similarly, workplace strategies are expounded through changing workplace practises in the post-pandemic era, the connectivity of people through digitization of communication, growing concern for the well-being of employees, and a paradigm shift in learning and development.
The study also examines the impact of COVID-19 on the sustainability of business in the post-pandemic era and suggests business sustainability initiatives such as the importance of corporate social responsibility, training on sustainable practises, following compliance and regulations, and community development activities to engage the employees and bring them together with a sense of drive, passion, and purpose to sustain business.
The study concludes by highlighting the role of HR in implementing employee-friendly HR policies to give more thrust to the health, safety, and well-being of employees and to initiate sustainable activities to achieve organisational objectives and attain business sustainability.
Key words: COVID-19, Post-pandemic, Digitization, Flexibility, Remote working, Learning and Development, Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Development.
JEL Classification: L23
Introduction
Industrialization in India has undergone metamorphosis in many phases, starting post-independence. The new economic policy, which came into existence during the last decade of the twentieth century (1991), has given a boost to industrial automation and the modernization of the workplace, which has created an arena for global business.
The advancements in communication and information technology at the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century have given a further boost to reinventing the workplace.
While the unprecedented changes and rapid advancement in technology have necessitated the business environment to be more competitive to create a niche in the global market environment, the COVID-19 pandemic, which tumbled as a storm at the end of the second decade of the twenty-first century, has disrupted mankind and shattered businesses across the planet.
Following the crisis and repetitive lockdowns, the post-pandemic period began as the “new normal,” which became the way of living and doing business operations across the globe to combat the pandemic.
This research study aims to get an insight into the changes or modifications that have changed the nature of work, the way people work, and the strategies adopted in the new workplace in the post-pandemic era and analyse their impact on the sustainability of business.
Purpose of the Study
The rapid advancement in technology and the digitization of the market environment, particularly in the second decade of the twenty-first century, have led business enterprises to be more competitive than ever before.
Furthermore, the diversity of the workforce engaged and the need for operational flexibility have necessitated organisations to redesign the nature of work and reorient workplace strategies to motivate, retain, and engage talents with commitments to achieve organisational goals.
The unprecedented havoc caused by the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the living conditions of people, including business operations and the nature of work, which led to a post-pandemic transformation known as the “new normal.”
This study is distinct from other research studies that have attempted to analyse how the nature of work has changed and what workplace strategies have been adopted in the post-pandemic era to sustain business and gain a competitive advantage.
Objectives
- To have an overview of the stumbling and rampant effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
- To get an insight into the changing nature of work in the post-pandemic era.
- To analyse the workplace strategies adopted in the post-pandemic era.
- To examine the impact of the post-pandemic on the sustainability of business.
- To make recommendations for business sustainability in the post-pandemic era.
Methodology
This research study is based on the secondary data available through online sources from various published research studies and journals on the changing nature of work and the workplace.
During this review process, strategies adopted to sustain business have been considered in line with the subject of the study.
The COVID-19 Pandemic: An Overview
COVID-19, or coronavirus illness, which first erupted in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, wreaked unprecedented havoc for human beings and disrupted businesses in all sectors around the world.
The unforeseen and dreadful outbreak of COVID-19 severely affected the economy and all sectors of business and triggered panic and agony for humanity with uncertainty, terrible effects on health and safety, loss of life, disconnection from social life, and depressing living conditions.
Further, the outbreak of the coronavirus resulted in the loss of employment for tens of millions of workers and the closure of various sectoral businesses.
Perspectives on the Changing Nature of Work in the Post-Pandemic Era
Flexibility
The pandemic changed the way the world works and has necessitated people to become accustomed to living a simple life with less stress and more flexibility.
Remote Working
Employees were compelled to work from home continuously during the pandemic, and many preferred to continue even in the post-pandemic era.
Hybrid Model of Working
Several companies introduced hybrid work models allowing flexibility and collaborative working.
Virtual Platforms
Platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, and WhatsApp gained massive importance for communication and collaboration.
Digital Transformation
Rapid technological advancements accelerated digital transformation, cloud computing, AI, and e-commerce growth.
Cyber Security
Cyber security became crucial for protecting organisational information systems and remote working infrastructure.
Discussion and Findings
Flexibility at work has become an essential need of today’s workforce more than pay and benefits.
Virtual platforms gained importance for meetings, HR training, development programmes, and hiring processes.
Organisations also anticipated the need to continuously reinforce upskilling and reskilling through e-learning and virtual platforms.
Conclusion
This study attempted to highlight the changes caused by COVID-19 in the nature of work and workplace strategies.
HR plays a vital role in implementing employee-friendly policies and sustainability initiatives that help organisations attain business sustainability.
References
Wanberg, C. R., & Banas, J. T. (2000). Predictors and outcomes of openness to changes in a reorganizing workplace.
Gelade, G. A., & Ivery, M. (2003). The impact of human resource management and work climate on organizational performance.
Mansaray, H. E. (2019). The role of leadership style in organisational change management.
Schabracq, M., & Cooper, C. (2000). The Changing Nature of Work and Stress.
Burke, R. J., & Ng, E. (2006). The changing nature of work and organizations.
