Analysis of the Deactivating Factors for Telework within Architectural Design Organization

ABSTRACT

The long-term pandemic caused by COVID-19 has changed many aspects of the work environment. Companies stalled to seriously consider telework and many have actually adopted it as an alternative way to work, hi fact 73.9% of overseas architect firms are using the telework while domestic architect firms shows no signs of introducing it yet. Various causes are suggested as to why the telework is not yet implemented in architectural practice even with the necessity of introduction, they are only unverified speculations and in order to understand the causes and solve the problems, a sophisticated analysis of the cause is required, hi addition, telework is not just a temporary option in pandemic situation but it needs to be established as another type of work in arcliitectiiral industiy in preparation for similar situation that may occur in the future. Therefore, this study aims to derive the impediments recognized by architect in introducing telework into domestic architect offices, and based on the results of the analysis from the derived factors, it was attempted to find a way to activate telework. Through the literature review, it is conformed that the research regarding the telework of architect office was insufficient and for this reason, telework consideration factors were derived from related studies targeting general companies. The questionnaire was prepared in consideration of the derived factors and the characteristics of the design work, and it was conducted at a time when the government's social distancing guidelines and telework recommendations were made. The study was conducted using the responses of 103 persons working in architect offices of the metropolitan area. As a result, it was confirmed that the cause of hindrace for teleworking perceived by the workers in the architect office was due to the specific characteristics of the design work, and it was confimed that the communication of visual information was the biggest hindrance factor ill the design work, hi addition, as a result of ANOVA on the questionnaire results, it was confirmed that there was a difference in the perceptions of architects about telework, and the main difference came from the work position and project experience. Afterwards. through factor analysis, specific directions were presented for three aspects communication of design work when working from home, support within the organization, and establishment of IT infrastructure as a way to revitalize it. © 2022 Architectural Institute of Korea