Smart Working

The Smart Working Observatory was founded in 2012, becoming part of a broad Research context that focused on studying for over 10 years the evolution in ways of working. Smart Working is intended as: “A management approach based on giving back to people the flexibility and autonomy of choosing spaces, schedules, and tools to use in return for greater result accountability”. With the the emergency drive coming to an end, organizations now have to define new ways of working in a scenario characterized by increasingly strong tension in the work market. However, too often Smart Working Is seen as a response to reconciliation needs and is reduced to remote work. Companies that, instead, apply mature Smart Working models with various development initiatives (policies, spaces, technologies, behaviors and leadership styles), have better performances and a positive impact on people’s well-being and engagement. In this context the Observatory aims to be the point of reference for developing the business organization innovation culture.  The approach to analyzing the condition is multidisciplinary and aims to support decision makers (IT Managers /CIOs, Heads of Human Resources /HR, Facility Managers) in adopting Smart Working within public and private organizations and policy makers.

Smart Working Observatory Research

As part of Research the Smart Working Observatory will:

• monitor the spread of Smart Working in Italy in large companies, SMEs, and the PS, and of new flexibility models (e.g., short week), identifying best practices in the national/international scenario;
• monitor the spread of smart workers in Italy;
• monitor the spread of key digital technologies (e.g., social collaboration, security, smart office technologies) supporting Smart Working and the impact of new technologies on the expansion of smart workers;
• monitor the evolution of internal workspaces and the use of other external spaces as workplaces (e.g., coworking, business centers)
• monitor interest and international Smart Working initiatives developed by Italian organizations;
• follow up on the impact of various work arrangements on employee well-being and engagement;
• look into the evolution required in leadership styles and competences;
• monitor the effect of Smart Working on relationships within the organization, with the boss, colleagues, and the company (Smart Working Ecosystem);
• identify the impact of Smart Working on environmental and social sustainability, and on territories.

Each year, Research is based on an empirical analysis that through surveys and case studies involves over 200 large Italian companies, 500 SMEs, and over 400 Public Sector bodies.