Tillit och kommunikation i hybridarbete. En kvalitativ studie ur ett arbetstagarperspektiv

Sammanfattning

Hybrid work has become an increasingly common form of employment and has changed the conditions for communication and relationships within organizations. While hybrid work can contribute to increased flexibility and autonomy for employees, it also presents challenges related to reduced physical presence and fewer spontaneous interactions. Against this background, the purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence trust, as well as the communicative challenges that arise in the relationship between managers and employees in hybrid work environments, from an employee perspective. The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach, where semi-structured interviews were employed as the method of data collection. In total, ten employees working in hybrid settings and without managerial responsibilities were interviewed. The empirical material was analyzed using thematic analysis and interpreted with support from theories of trust, Leader-Member Exchange (LMX), social presence, media richness and organizational control. The findings indicate that digital communication largely facilitates efficient information sharing and flexibility; however, it does not fully replace the value of physical presence and spontaneous interactions. Informal meetings appear to play a significant role in relationship building and in fostering trust between managers and employees. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that managerial availability, responsiveness and clear communication are of great importance for how presence and support are perceived in hybrid work settings. Trust emerges as a dynamic phenomenon that develops over time through recurring interactions, previous experiences and perceptions of autonomy rather than control. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how trust and communication are shaped in hybrid work environments from an employee perspective and highlights the importance of organizations developing communication practices that enable both clear feedback and relationship-building interactions in hybrid work.