Dilemmas of control in remote work

Remote work arrangements (RWAs), such as telework, mobile work and virtual teams, lead to major changes in the control of work. However, existing studies reveal contradictory effects of RWAs on control. Some argue that RWAs increase control while others argue that RWAs decrease control over employees. To deal with these apparent contradictory effects, we analytically review empirical research on RWAs and control. The authors show that control in RWAs is specified by the relationship between the tension between directive and delegative control on one side, and tension between connective and protective participation, on the other side. In sum, our analytical review of literature reveals that level of control in RWA depends on the tension between "aggregation" and "disaggregation" which is enacted by the relationship between managers' leadership practice and employees' distancing practices.