Digital Nomadism, Hybrid Working Model: A Post COVID Perspective For Women Empowerment in Qatar

    Project: Applied Research

    Project Details

    Abstract

    The aim of this project is to investigate the attitudes and readiness of women in Qatar towards Digital Nomadism (DN) and to explore the preparedness of employers towards the adoption and development of Hybrid Working Models (HWM). This involves exploring both the potential challenges and opportunities underlying the mainstreaming of flexible, hybrid, and ‘digital nomadism-inspired’ work arrangements and the role they may play in empowering Qatari women and in increasing their engagement in various economic activities and the workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted unprecedented changes in both employers' and workers' perceptions of digital nomadism as well as remote working models, with technologies seen as facilitating the implementation of these new work arrangements. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be interpreted as a large-scale experiment in the implementation of both DN and HWM, a trend that we can expect to be long-lasting. Both employers and employees, across many sectors, have adapted to HWMs. Research is showing that HWMs are linked with increased employees’ job satisfaction and productivity. More importantly, some scholars have argued that both DN and HWM can act as gender equalizers, as more women can balance work with life commitments, without compromising on career progression. On the other hand, there are clearly many challenges associated with the skills gap, organizational changes related to DN and HWM, which will be explored in this research. In particular, we will investigate the attitudes and cultural acceptance as well as skills gap related to the successful implementation of DN-inspired work arrangements. In addition, the project will explore the legal and governance changes as well as operational transformations (such as digitalization, team dynamics, cybersecurity, performance evaluation and virtual leadership) underpinning the adoption of HWM. In addition, the project seeks to explore the potential role of technology in facilitating and overcoming the challenges associated with the adoption of HWM or DN. Our project is motivated by the religious and ethical perspective of giving women equitable roles in societal economic contribution, thus aligning with Qatar’s National Vision (QNV 2030) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Empowering and increasing opportunities for Qatari women fall within the first and the second pillars of QNV2030 (Human and Social Development respectively), which aims at increasing opportunities for and to support Qatari women; as well as promoting their capacity and empowerment to participate fully into the economic spheres. Beyond this, the United Nations’ SDGs do place a strong emphasis on gender equality (SDG 5). Against this background, examining and providing solutions to the promotion of gender equity is pivotal. The project will start by assessing the current level of implementation of related SDGs in selected organisations in Qatar. It will then explore the potential impact of DN and HWM on their progress on the implementation of SDGs. The project adopts a mixed-methods approach (combining quantitative and qualitative research) starting with content analysis of the reports, websites, policies and practices of three selected organization (one public sector, one part of the semi-private sector and the third is a Businesswomen association) to assess their current policies and practices towards women empowerment and its related SDGs. It will then proceed to conduct surveys and interviews with employed women, women from the general public, employers as well as policymakers. It will explore the attitudes of Qatari women towards DN and HWM. Furthermore, it will also investigate employers’ readiness towards the implementation and development of DN and HWMs solutions. In addition, an online platform will be established for Qatari women to exchange best practices related to DN and HWMs. The project’s main aim is to use the information generated from surveying employed women, women from the general public, employers as well as policymakers in order to identify the following: a. Attitudes, preparedness and interest towards DN and HWM from employers, female employees as well as women from the general public in Qatar b. The current level of adoption of HWM by employers in Qatar thus far c. The potential impact of DN and HWM in facilitating the barriers to entry (in the workforce) faced by Qatari women and their work-life balance d. The challenges related to the mainstreaming of HWM in both public and private sectors in Qatar e. The potential role of digital nomadism and technology in facilitating HWM and empowering women in Qatar The mixed-methods approach of this research aims to increase the understanding of the process of popularizing and mainstreaming DN and HWM in Qatar as potential means to increasing female employment and progression. DN and HWM solutions, as well as receptibility to those, will be discussed with both employers and women in Qatar in order to generate policy advice and practical evidence-based solutions to create a more productive and female worker-friendly environment for women in Qatar (both culturally and within the workplace). Moreover, to further the impact of this project and translate theory into practice, the project aims to explore the various aspects underlying the implementation of DN and HWM within the Qatari context

    Submitting Institute Name

    Qatar University
    Sponsor's Award NumberNPRP14S-0418-210233
    Proposal IDEX-QNRF-NPRPS-21
    StatusActive
    Effective start/end date1/01/231/01/26

    Primary Theme

    • None

    Primary Subtheme

    • None

    Secondary Theme

    • None

    Secondary Subtheme

    • None

    Keywords

    • Gender equality
    • Digital literacy
    • Hybrid working model

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