Nada será como dantes: uma revisão comparativa da literatura científica acerca do trabalho remoto antes e depois da COVID-19

Helena Martins; Alexandra Costa; Rosa Isabel Rodrigues; Izabeth Rodrigues

doi:10.5585/2025.25448

Authors

Helena Martins Instituto Politecnico de Setubal, RESILIENCE, Escola Superior de Ciências Empresariais, ESCE-IPS, Setúbal, Portugal / Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto, P.Porto – CEOS.PP, ISCAP-P.Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0749-917X
Alexandra Costa Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto - ISEP, Porto, Portugal / Center for Innovation in Engineering and Industrial Technology – CIETI, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5053-536X
Rosa Isabel Rodrigues Instituto Superior de Gestão, Business & Economics School, Lisboa, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6548-418X
Izabeth Rodrigues Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias - ULHT / Lisboa, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1161-7650

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5585/2025.25448

Keywords:

remote work, COVID-19, telecommuting, digital transformation, systematic literature review

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the evolution of the scientific literature on remote work by comparing the periods before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, to understand how the pandemic has reconfigured work dynamics and propelled research in new directions.

Methodology: We employed a bibliometric approach, utilizing visual maps generated by VOSviewer based on data indexed in the Web of Science. This methodology allowed us to illustrate trends and paradigmatic changes in remote work research, providing a detailed comparative analysis of the two periods in question.

Originality/Relevance: A theoretical gap related to understanding the transformations in remote work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is adressed. The academic relevance lies in the need to comprehend these changes to guide future research and work practices.

Results: The results indicate an exponential increase in the number of annual publications on remote work, as well as a shift in research focuses, evidencing an evolution in theoretical and practical approaches to the topic.

Theoretical/Methodological Contributions: The study contributes to the existing literature by offering a comparative view of the evolution of research on remote work and highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic served as a turning point in academic and professional discussions on the subject.

Social/Management Contributions: The insights generated by this study have significant implications for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, providing a solid foundation to navigate and shape the future of work in a digital and flexible context. It highlights the importance of adapting work practices to the new realities imposed by the pandemic.

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Author Biographies

Helena Martins, Instituto Politecnico de Setubal, RESILIENCE, Escola Superior de Ciências Empresariais, ESCE-IPS, Setúbal, Portugal / Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto, P.Porto – CEOS.PP, ISCAP-P.Porto, Porto, Portugal

PhD in Management with a specialization in Organization and Human Resources from the Faculty of Economics of Porto, and a Master's degree in Work and Organizational Psychology from the Universities of Coimbra (Portugal) and Valencia (Spain). She is an Assistant Professor at the School of Business Sciences at the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal and a Guest Assistant Professor at Nova School of Business and Economics, with over a decade of experience in higher education. Helena is part of several international teams dedicated to research and the development of organizational solutions focused on soft skills, with an emphasis on intercultural psychology, communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence. In addition to her teaching and research, she has over two decades of experience as a consultant in training and employee development. Helena is also the Deputy Coordinator of the RESILIENCE Research Center at IPS, focused on regional resilience and sustainability.

Alexandra Costa, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto - ISEP, Porto, Portugal / Center for Innovation in Engineering and Industrial Technology – CIETI, Porto, Portugal

Postdoctoral degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Minho. Completed her PhD in Work Science (Specialization in Social Psychology) in 2010/09/16 from the University of Cádiz and a Degree in Psychology in 1990/12 from the University of Porto-Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences. She is a Researcher at Instituto Politécnico do Porto, more specifically at the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Industrial Technology and Adjunct Professor at Instituto Politécnico do Porto-Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto. She has published 18 articles in specialized journals and has 9 book chapters and 2 books published. She co-supervised 1 doctoral thesis and supervised 25 master's theses and co-supervised 2 others. She received 3 awards in scientific events. She participated as a Researcher in 2 projects. She works in the area of Social Sciences with an emphasis on Psychology and Educational Science.

Rosa Isabel Rodrigues, Instituto Superior de Gestão, Business & Economics School, Lisboa, Portugal

Ph.D. in Management, specializing in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior from ISCTE-IUL, Lisbon, Portugal. Holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and in Work and Organizational Psychology from Lusíada University of Lisbon, where she also got her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Coordinates the Human Resource Management undergraduate program at the Instituto Superior de Gestão – Business & Economics School, where teaches in the Bachelor and Master degrees. Research areas include organizational behavior, human resource management, work and organizational psychology, psychological evaluation, soft skills, and test construction and validation.

Izabeth Rodrigues, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias - ULHT / Lisboa, Portugal

Bachelor's degree in Economics with a specialization in Banking Management and Operations from the University of Cape Verde (UNICV), complemented by a Master's degree in Business Management from Universidade Lusófona de Lisboa. Engaged in professional development through the GIN - Generate Business Ideas program under the GERME methodology by the International Labour Organization (ILO), enhancing skills in innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, trained in Accounting Management to expand practical and technical competencies. Professionally initiated in the field through internships focusing on accounting and financial management facilitated by the Employment and Vocational Training Center and the Regional Partners Council of Santo Antão. Further experience includes a role at the General Directorate of Planning, Budget, and Management at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Regional Integration, providing a comprehensive view of public management. Currently serving as the Financial, Accounting, and Human Resources Manager at Girassol Tours, responsible for strategic financial oversight, accounting, and human resources management, contributing significantly to organizational growth and efficiency.

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