The Impact of Virtual Work on Employee Adaptive Performance in IT Industry

The rapid transition to virtual work, driven by technological advancements and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly impacted employee adaptive performance in many industries. This study investigates the challenges and opportunities posed by virtual work environments on employee adaptability, focusing on six dimensions: geography, collaboration, culture, work practices, organisation, and technology. The research objective is to determine how these dimensions influence adaptive performance, which is crucial for organisational resilience and effectiveness in remote work. A survey was conducted with 276 employees from the IT sector, using purposive sampling to select participants with specific work experience and roles. The study employed a Structural Equation Model (SEM) using Partial Least Squares (PLS) to analyse the data. Key findings indicate that while culture, work practices, organisation, and technology positively and significantly influence adaptive performance, the impact of geography and collaboration was positive but not significant. This suggests that certain aspects of virtual work environments are more critical than others in enhancing employee adaptability. The study's findings underscore the importance of developing targeted strategies to improve adaptive performance in virtual settings, particularly by focusing on cultural adaptation, effective work practices, and leveraging technology. These recommendations are crucial for organisations seeking to enhance their remote work effectiveness. Future research should explore the role of digital skills in enhancing adaptive performance and further investigate the effectiveness of virtual work practices across different industries.