A collaborative literature review on remote working arrangements and their implications for individuals, organisations and regions

An extensive group of REMAKING partners, including researchers from, the University of Bologna, The Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS), the Paris School of Bussiness, the Collaborative Laboratory for Labour, Employment and Social Protection (CoLABOR), the European Creative Hubs Network, and the Politecnico di Milano, have collaboratively carried out an extensive literature review on Remote Working Arrangements (RWAs) across Europe and their implications in individual, organizational, and socio-economic dimensions.

Drawing on a systematic analysis of 516 peer-reviewed articles published in the last 10 years, the review synthesizes existing knowledge on remote work as a transformative element influenced by global megatrends, namely globalization and technological developments, and external shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The analysis reveals a complex landscape of opportunities, challenges and impacts posed by diverse levels of adoption of remote work in different European regions, which are influenced by digital infrastructure, cultural attitudes, economic structures, and policy frameworks in each region.

At the individual level, they have verified that remote work offers greater autonomy and flexibility but also brings challenges like technostress, isolation, and blurred work-life boundaries. These issues are particularly acute for women and caregivers, pointing to the need for inclusive, supportive policies.

For organizations, remote work requires significant adjustments in business models, and management practices. Maintaining organizational cohesion and identity in remote-first cultures presents ongoing challenges. Hybrid models, blending in-office and remote work, are increasingly favoured as they balance flexibility with the need for collaboration and team cohesion.

From a socio-economic and territorial perspective, remote work is redefining labour markets and transforming territories, communities and spatial mobility. It enables the redistribution of workforce talent toward rural and second-tier urban areas. However, its transformative potential remains limited by regional inequalities in digital infrastructure and remote-compatible sectors distribution.

In conclusion, this literature review unveils the opportunity remote work brings to rethink the interplay between labour, production, and regional economies. While its potential is vast, its success depends on carefully designed interventions that mitigate potential disparities among different socio-economic groups and territories. Only evidence-based policies will make possible maximize the benefits of remote work and address the challenges holistically.