Embracing Flexibility Post-COVID-19: A Systematic Review of Flexible Working Arrangements Using the SCM-TBFO Framework

Abstract

Recently, flexible working arrangements (FWAs) have emerged as a popular alternative to traditional working practices, and their use has escalated since the onset of COVID-19. Although previous studies have highlighted the importance of changes induced by COVID-19, few studies have provided a comprehensive overview. This review highlights these issues by incorporating the SCM-TBFO framework. The authors elaborated the framework by categorizing the variables identified under this framework into four primary dimensions: employee-oriented, socio-cultural, infrastructural, and employer-oriented. The findings indicate that although FWAs were studied widely before the pandemic, the focus was mainly on Western countries and multi-sector datasets. However, with the onset of the pandemic, the context of studies began to change. Furthermore, the conservation of resources theory has been the most frequently used school of thought, with regression analysis as the prevailing method. The study examines these findings, offers insights into future research directions, and suggests concrete implications for employers and managers, hence emphasizing the need to comprehend the triggers that indicate the necessity for FWA, such as work–life integration, rectify the barriers such as cyber risks, and encourage the facilitators, such as supervisory support, to achieve favorable organizational outcomes. In addition, it highlights the need for government interventions to incentivize alternative arrangements that promote diversity and inclusion within the corporate sector.