Post-CoVID-19 Tele-work Practices in German and Austrian Public Sector Organizations: A cross-case analysis

Work practices and organizational changes during the CoVID-19 pandemic represent a disruption with transformative potential for innovation and change. Public sector organizations (PSOs) in many countries are thinking if and how to continue the flexible tele-work regulations implemented during the CoVID-19 to maintain organizational performance and to be seen as modern and flexible organizations that provide fulfilling work. In this study we aim to investigate and compare how PSOs are using the experiences and lessons learned from tele-work during the CoVID-19 pandemic for the development of future tele-work regulations. We consider Austria and Germany as they share a similar bureaucratic and organizational traditions and culture and are evaluating the impact of tele-work on performance in PSOs. In this cross-case exploratory analysis, we consider the necessary dimensions of tele-work and consider the continued use of tele-work in Austrian and German PSOs after the CoVID-19 pandemic. The results show that post-CoVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have engaged in different trajectories regarding tele-work regulations in future. German PSOs are more reluctant to continue with tele-work and implement the necessary organizational changes than their Austrian counterpart.