Remote Workplace Interactions and Extraversion: A Field Study on Wellbeing and Productivity Among Knowledge Workers

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, the knowledge workplace has seen a dramatic transition from collocated-first to hybrid or fully-remote arrangements. A significant portion of the knowledge work industry has moved or is moving from office to remote or hybrid work, the implications of which are yet to be fully understood. One of the biggest unknowns is how remote team communication impacts the individual worker, especially in consideration of personality type. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of remote workplace interactions on productivity and wellbeing, and how these effects are moderated by extraversion. The study lasted for 2-3 months and involved 60 knowledge workers. The data was analyzed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. We present novel findings on how remote communication affects individuals differently depending on the type of interaction, agent, and personality of the individual, showing that the impact of communication on workers is far from straightforward. We contextualize these findings with an in-depth analysis of communication patterns and experiences in the remote workplace, adding to existing literature. Finally, we present suggestions for a more individualized communication approach in industry and future research.