Att kommunicera på distans : En kvalitativ studie om hur chefer och medarbetare upplever digital kommunikation

Sammanfattning

Remote work increased significantly in connection to the COVID-19 pandemic and became an integral part of working life, which has changed communication within organizations. The aim of this study was to examine how managers and employees perceive communication in remote work, as well as to identify similarities and differences in their perception of communication clarity, effectiveness, and challenges. The study adopts a qualitative approach and is based on semi- structured interviews with ten participants, including five managers and five employees. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results show that both managers and employees largely share similar experiences of communication in remote work. Digital tools enable continuous communication and collaboration regardless of geographical location, which is perceived as positive. At the same time, physical meetings are considered important, particularly for relationship building and more complex conversations. Although the overall experiences are similar, the focus differs between managers and employees depending on their roles. Remote work is perceived to contribute to increased flexibility and efficiency, but it also places higher demands on the individual, which can affect how clear and effective communication is perceived to be. The findings also indicate that there are both opportunities and challenges in digital communication. Digital tools create flexibility and efficiency, but the absence of body language and social cues can lead to uncertainty and increase the risk of misunderstandings. Overall, the study suggests that a balance between digital and physical forms of communication is essential for creating sustainable ways of working in the modern workplace.