The COVID-19 Pandemic has made communication and collaboration challenging for I.T. managers and their teams working remotely

Remote Work has become the new norm for many companies, creating new challenges for communication and collaboration. The lack of face-to-face interaction can lead to communication breakdowns and hamper collaboration, making it challenging for managers to keep their teams aligned and productive (page 16, Pathak 2021).. Since traditional methods of communication like face-to-face meetings and in-person check-ins are no longer feasible (page 16, Debata, Patnaik and Mishra 2020). As a result, managers must rely on various digital communication tools like video conferencing, instant messaging, and email to communicate with their teams, but those are not without their limitations. Technical issues, such as poor internet connectivity or software glitches, can interrupt or delay communication, leading to frustration and poor productivity (page 29, RingCentral, 2021).

Another challenge is collaboration. In a remote work environment, it can be harder to collaborate on projects and share ideas (Kramer, 2020). Tools such as cloud-based project management platforms and document-sharing services can help, but they require careful management and training to ensure that team members are using them effectively. However, not all employees may be comfortable or familiar with these tools, leading to communication breakdowns and misunderstandings.

5.2Recommendations for future research

In relation to the above conclusions, the relevant recommendations will therefore be as follows.