Operations as affected by occupational social distancing relating to remote working in e-service organisations : a case study

Abstract

Due to recent events regarding the covid-19 pandemic we have witnessed a necessary increase in organisations reverting or increasing on operational models which make heavy use of occupational social distancing techniques to be able to continue their activity and in certain cases, simply in order to avoid foreclosure. It is fairly obvious that technology plays a heavy part in such situations, hence one may find it valuable to explore an indication regarding the use of technology as being sometimes shunned and misunderstood by a presumably considerable number of local organisations, which in turn, may be missing on opportunities for market growth, operations development and reach in activity. However, recent developments may impose a much more detrimental and imminent risk to global markets in general, let alone our own local economy - particularly if said pandemic sustains prolonged spread. Many professionals and academics are professing challenging times for our economy to maintain capital generation and occupational stability, hence managerial skills become vital for economic survival. One must keep in mind that management should not simply focus on long-term strategy, securing returns and growth during opportune moments, but also to manage mitigation and indeed attempt capitalisation on unfavourable situations and happenings; As an example, this terrible situation, which is the COVID-19 pandemic, might actually be capitalised on in the form of interest in the initiation of a national study into the feasibility and beneficial aspects in creating a competent occupational and operational digital culture, providing the Maltese economy players projected possibilities and a means to engage further in digital operations. It is observable that the digital markets, particularly e-service markets, have been growing exponentially in the last decade, thus creating a sort of digital corridor, where as an economy, we may be able to find, either developing or ripe, solid markets outside of our own shores, from which, vehicle/s for mitigating any possible future economic difficulties for the country may potentially be created. This study will attempt to shed further light in helping to evaluate, in both operational and social benefit terms, if further studies regarding the possibility of investment on remote occupational systems of operations, as a way to promote a national culture in digital business competency, is desirable and sustainable.