Algerian Managers' Perceptions of the Requirements for a Successful Transition to Telework: A Post COVID Assessment

Purpose: The main purpose of the study was determining the basic requirements for implementing telework in Algerian companies after the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to establish it, and accordingly it become a prevailing management culture. Design/Method/Approach: We opted for an essentially qualitative approach field by conducting semi-structured interviews individually with 11 company managers from different sectors of activity in order for the interviewee to feel sufficiently free and to have as much transparency and credibility as possible, and to obtain in-depth information that is difficult to express quantitatively or statistically, with diversity of the sample in terms of (age, professional experience, sector of activity, legal form etc.). Based on previous telework studies, an interview guide was designed with a series of specific and open-ended questions. In order to analyze the results completely and accurately, we relied on thematic analysis. Findings: The results concluded that accelerating the telework implementation in Algerian company requires, firstly, the legislative framework by reviewing the labor law that regulates and documents the existing relationship between the teleworker and the employer, and also consistent with the developments of the current situation, and secondly to, the presence of digital infrastructure that goes beyond the need for designated places to include the presence of a wide-coverage, protected, and high-flow communication network, meaning preparing the primary environment with basic equipment and software, thirdly, the existence of training program in order to help to make the best use of information technology (ICT) and reduces the need for supervision and follow-up. Theoretical Implications: The study provides practical insights for the central role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in business continuity during crises, such as the COVID-19, after opening the way for the emergence of new management models such as telework, which gives the user the ability to perform his tasks fully or partially, from locations different from the usual the workplace. Practical Implications: The current study seeks to provide practical guidelines on the most important requirements for implementing telework in Algerian companies after the Covid-19 pandemic. Originality/Value: This research gives practical recommendations for managers, policymakers, and academics to establishing a telework culture in management at the level of various Algerian companies. Research Limitations/Future Research: The Covid-19 crisis was the starting point for talking about telework, because it was a direct reason behind the exploration of this method of managing labor relations by many Algerian companies, which continued to be used even after the end of the crisis. However, this lived experience for more than Four years in this manner opened the door to discussion of many problems related to capabilities, protection, control, etc. This is what the current study tried to answer. Paper Type: Empirical JEL Classification: M54, O33