Despite Increasing Digitalisation Flexible Working Models Remain Limited to Few Employees

The digitalisation of the working world is progressing at a rapid pace in Germany. The use of mobile devices such as notebooks, tablets and smartphones is making work increasingly independent from the workplace. This development enables firms to retain highly qualified staff by offering flexible job models and working hours that can be adapted to the individual needs of employees. Furthermore, it improves the reconciliation of work and family life – if implemented with a sense of proportion. However, a representative nation-wide business survey conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) suggests that flexible working models are still limited to a rather small group of employees. The survey was conducted within the framework of the Monitoring Digital Economy study carried out by ZEW and TNS Infratest on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).

The ZEW survey covered the ICT sector (hardware and ICT service providers), both technical and consultancy services as well as creative industries and shows that in 2013, home office ranked first among the flexible working models, ahead of co-working and desk-sharing. However, only a limited number of employees have made use of these working models so far. Even though 57 per cent of ICT companies offer home office, only twelve per cent of employees in the ICT sector make use of this opportunity. According to the companies, one of the main reasons for this low rate of home workers is that physical presence at the workplace is indispensable. About 80 per cent of the surveyed companies across all sectors share this opinion. Moreover, many firms state that home office does not match the company philosophy or established working methods. These firms will have to reconsider exactly those aspects if they want to hire and keep hold of highly qualified employees.

A large share of companies meets the technical requirements for flexible working hours and job models. The ZEW survey shows that many firms have already provided their employees with mobile Internet access. In the ICT sector, 46 per cent of employees already have mobile Internet access. This share will reach 54 per cent by the end of 2014. Notebooks are the most frequently used mobile devices, followed by smartphones and tablets. The use of smartphones and tablets is expected to grow significantly by the end of 2014.

External access to network resources can still be improved

Remote work does not only require the corresponding devices, but also access to corporate information and applications. Companies primarily provide external access to e-mail systems, regardless of the device used. The share of firms providing access to network drives or business applications is considerably smaller. This suggests that there are still security issues and legal aspects which need to be taken care of before mobile internet use can be fully exploited.

Companies expect digitalisation to positively affect corporate success

From the perspective of companies, it is crucial that digitalising work contributes to positive business results. The survey respondents’ opinions were in general agreement on one matter - over the course of 2014, firms expect the digitalisation of work to improve competitiveness, labour productivity, and corporate success in general.

For further information please contact

Prof. Dr. Irene Bertschek, Phone +49/621-1235-178, E-mail bertschek@zew.de

Dr. Jörg Ohnemus, Phone +49/621-1235-354, E-mail ohnemus@zew.de