New development: How working from home influences the governance of municipally owned corporations and affects the public interest

This article provides important insights for public administration practitioners, particularly those involved in the governance of municipally owned corporations (MOCs). The research highlights how the shift to working from home (WFH) during the Covid 19 pandemic influenced governance practices, with both positive and negative implications for the safeguarding of the public interest. While formal accountability remained strong, reduced trust and less effective informal collaboration emerged as challenges. These findings are particularly relevant for municipal leaders and policy-makers responsible for overseeing MOCs, as well as for those involved in digital transformation and remote work management. The article underscores the need for developing digital skills among civil servants and tailoring governance practices to address the complexities of WFH, which is increasingly becoming the norm. Practitioners in other countries should consider these insights while accounting for differences in governance structures and cultural contexts.