Navigating Italy’s Growing Smart Working Landscape: Insights from Employee Cluster Analysis

The adoption of smart working policies in Italy has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with an increasing number of organizations embracing this approach. According to the latest data, as of 2022, a noteworthy 91% of big private companies in Italy have implemented smart working policies. This paper investigates the implications of these work arrangements on employees’ examining socio-demographic characteristics, travel-related factors, and preferences for remote workdays among employees of an Italian company that has implemented smart working practices. Using cluster analysis and k-means clustering techniques, the study identifies three distinct employee profiles, each displaying a preference for the number of remote workdays. However, the degree and nature of this preference vary based on different influencing factors. Travel-related variables such as commuting time, public transport usage, and increased travel expenses are associated with a stronger inclination towards a higher number of remote workdays. Conversely, employees with shorter commutes or those utilizing sustainable means of transport exhibit a lower preference. Furthermore, socio-demographic factors, such as household composition and the presence of family members requiring transportation assistance, are variables that should be considered. Through the identification of employee clusters with similar preferences and characteristics, organizations can tailor strategies and workplace mobility plans to encourage eco-friendly commuting behaviors and establish sustainable work arrangements.