New ways of working: A proposed framework and literature review

The drive towards new ways of working is of great relevance to our modern world. Many companies and organizations have introduced aspects of this new approach in recent years, while many others are on the verge of doing so. The new way of working consists of a large variety of measures enabling flexibility in time and place Expectations are often high: those who embrace such innovations aim to reduce operating costs and create more productive employees. However, it is worth asking whether these expectations are realistic. To date, very little research has been done on how the introduction of new ways of working affects operational objectives. This article is aimed to provide an overview of the available knowledge of the effects of the new way of working concept through scientific research and by developing a clearly defined framework. Some of the most important findings are outlined. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg