Can you hear me? An exploratory study on the technological barriers experienced by Brazilian teleworkers

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way we work. The advance of communication and information technologies, partly stimulated by the crisis, has strengthened flexible working models. The shift from well-established office activities to remote working can present challenges for workers. This qualitative study therefore aims to investigate the technological barriers faced by tele workers. An exploratory analysis was carried out using content analysis. Knowledge workers from three different organizations were interviewed. The results indicated that the barriers faced by workers were usability and familiarity with ICTs, quality and access to ICTs, and digital interaction dynamics. These barriers operate through mechanisms that contribute to phenomena such as digital fatigue and technostress. It should be noted that barriers are influenced by the individual, social, and organizational contexts experienced by workers. In the face of digital transformations, organizations need to rethink their management models, taking technological impacts into account.