What will happen if there aren't enough talents to fill the market in the future due to the demographical change? This study focuses on the potential of offering 100% remote work to counteract the workforce shortage in Germany. An empirical study has been conducted as an online survey to gain an overview of Germany's 100% remote job market.
In a fast-changing world, digital transformation has become an evitable process for companies to adapt to new technologies and market trends. The digital transformation in Germany has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, positively and negatively. On the one hand, the pandemic forced German companies to embrace new technology more quickly and adapt to remote work. However, on the other hand, it pointed out Germany's weaknesses in digital infrastructures and cybersecurity. Additionally, many German companies face a shortage of workers due to digital transformation. Another reason that causes workforce shortage is demographical change. Companies cannot operate their business correctly, increase revenue, or drive innovations to survive in a competitive market without suitable candidates. Furthermore, the digital revolution shaped the current digital generations, as potential workers exhibit different digital behaviors and preferences. Therefore, companies must know them and their work preferences to fill the workforce shortage gap.
Remote working as a sub-trend of the mega trend New Work has become the new standard for workers, especially since the pandemic. However, there aren't any specific regulations regarding remote work in Germany yet. In general, remote work provides workers, e.g., more freedom and a better work-life balance. Nevertheless, remote work also has the downside, such as workers experiencing isolation and loneliness due to the lack of social contact with co-workers, less productivity outside of the office, etc. For companies, offering remote work gives them complete access to the talent pools, including freelancers as external workers, reducing costs due to fewer offices; being more attractive to job seekers. But on the other side, remote leadership has become a big challenge for leaders. Furthermore, companies have to deal more with cyber security. When everything's going remotely, companies have become an easier target of cyber-attacks.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Digital era
- 2.1 Definition of digital transformation
- 2.2 Digital generations
- 2.3 The current digital transformation state in Germany
- 3 Megatrends and workforce shortage
- 3.1 Megatrends
- 3.1.1 Definition and their impact on society
- 3.1.2 Definition of remote working as part of 'New Work'
- 3.1.3 Current situation of remote working in Germany
- 3.1.4 Remote working for Corporations
- 3.1.4.1 Advantages of offering remote working
- 3.1.4.2 Disadvantages of remote working
- 3.1.4.3 Challenges of remote working
- 3.1.5 Remote working for permanent employees and freelancers
- 3.1.5.1 Advantages of remote working
- 3.1.5.2 Disadvantages of remote working
- 3.1.5.3 Challenges of remote working
- 3.2 Workforce Shortage
- 3.2.1 Definition of workforce shortage
- 3.2.2 Current situation of Workforce Shortage in Germany
- 3.2.3 Known reasons for workforce shortage
- 3.2.4 Consequences of workforce shortage
- 3.2.5 Challenges for organization
- 3.1 Megatrends
- 4 Methodical approach
- 5 Results from quantitative analysis of online survey
- 5.1 Demographical features of survey participants
- 5.2 100% remote jobs at German companies
- 5.3 Willingness to work fully remotely
- 5.4 Willingness to work as a freelancer
- 5.5 Further social aspects
- 6 Conclusion
- 7 Discussion and forecast
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study investigates the potential of offering 100% remote work to mitigate the workforce shortage in Germany. It explores the impact of digital transformation and demographic change on the German workforce and analyzes the preferences of potential talents regarding remote work. The goal is to provide insights into the feasibility and benefits of fully remote work arrangements in addressing the current workforce shortage.
- The impact of digital transformation on the German workforce and its challenges.
- The role of remote work in mitigating workforce shortage and its advantages and disadvantages for both companies and employees.
- The preferences of potential talents regarding remote work, including their willingness to work 100% remotely.
- The impact of demographic change on the German workforce and its implications for future workforce needs.
- The potential of remote work to attract qualified candidates and diversify talent pools.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Chapter 1: Introduces the topic of workforce shortage in a digital era and outlines the research question and methodology.
- Chapter 2: Discusses the concept of digital transformation and its impact on the German workforce, including the changing demographics and the emergence of digital generations.
- Chapter 3: Examines the megatrends driving the current workforce landscape, focusing on remote work as a significant trend within the broader framework of "New Work". This chapter analyzes the current state of remote work in Germany, its advantages, disadvantages, and challenges for both companies and employees. It also explores the implications of workforce shortage for German businesses and society.
- Chapter 4: Describes the methodological approach used in the study, focusing on the design and implementation of the online survey.
- Chapter 5: Presents the results of the quantitative analysis of the online survey data, focusing on the demographics of participants, their preferences for remote work, and their willingness to work 100% remotely or as freelancers. The chapter also discusses the influence of gender, generation, and industry on these preferences.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This study focuses on the key topics of digital transformation, remote work, workforce shortage, demographic change, talent acquisition, and the German job market. It investigates the potential of offering 100% remote jobs to attract qualified candidates and mitigate workforce shortages in Germany. It uses an empirical approach through an online survey to gather insights into the preferences and willingness of potential talents to work fully remotely.
- Quote paper
- Huong Hoang Thien (Author), 2023, Workforce shortage in a digital era. Can 100% remote work attract more qualified candidates?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1348075
