COVID-19 and the Acceleration of Remote Work as a Human Capital Management Tool: The Case of Hungary
摘要
Remote work emerged as a crucial human capital management tool to mitigate COVID-19 impacts on organizations. This chapter explores how the pandemic influenced remote work practices using Hungary as a case study. Specifically, the study addresses three key questions: (1) How did the pandemic affect the trend in the use of remote work in Hungary? (2) How did remote work usage during the pandemic compare to pre- and post-pandemic levels? (3) What were the sectoral variations in remote work trends? Grounded in theoretical frameworks such as systems, behaviourist, human capital, and contingency theory, the chapter emphasizes the importance of adaptive human resource (HR) practices in maintaining productivity and supporting work-life balance in dynamic work environments. A literature review summarizes the advantages and challenges of remote work, while empirical analysis highlights its practical application during the pandemic. The findings reveal that the pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, with post-pandemic levels in Hungary exceeding pre-pandemic norms. However, challenges including infrastructural barriers and uneven sectoral adoption remain. We therefore recommend the need for HR strategies that balance flexibility, technological investment, and employee well-being. This chapter contributes valuable insights into sectoral variations and the evolving role of remote work as human capital management tool.