JOB DESIGN AND HYBRID WORK MODELS DURING COVID-19: A STUDY OF THE SERBIAN IT INDUSTRY

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the way organizations structure their work models, with remote and hybrid work becoming more prevalent. This study explores the impact of remote and hybrid work models on job enrichment in the Serbian IT (information communication technology) industry, focusing on five key job design characteristics: autonomy, task variety, task identity, task significance, and feedback. While previous research has reported mixed outcomes of remote work, the impact of these work models on overall job enrichment, especially in emerging markets like Serbia, has yet to be fully understood. Using data from IT industry employees, this study examines how different work arrangements (in-office, hybrid, and fully remote) affect their perceptions of job enrichment. Results from one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests reveal that employees in hybrid work models report the highest levels of job enrichment, with significant differences between hybrid and remote workers. These findings suggest that hybrid work may offer a more balanced approach to job design by providing autonomy and flexibility while maintaining access to essential resources and feedback. The study emphasizes the importance of considering job enrichment in the design of hybrid work environments. Findings will also offer practical recommendations for organizations seeking to optimize their work models post-pandemic in order to maximize employee engagement and productivity in the future.