Importance-Performance Mapping Of Work Attributes in a Remote Working Environment amongst Foreign Bank Employees in Dubai

Abstract

Dubai is home to more foreign banks than local banks and the former have been at the forefront of implementing remote working since March 2020 when the Pandemic struck. One year into this, post smooth functioning of the banks, they are now looking to see if they can make remote working a permanent (partial/full) feature of their model. However, areas that they need to focus/re-focus need to be identified to achieve the future objective. To find out the performance of the banks on people-related aspects (non-financial), a field survey of 104 foreign bank employees in Dubai was carried out and an IPA (Importance-Performance Analysis) matrix was plotted, suggesting various areas of improvement to the banks. Data analysis also focusses on the correlation between the attributes and also aims to establish a relationship between overall job satisfaction and certain work attributes in the remote working landscape. Analysis revealed that banks have overall done well in implementing remote working and ensuring job satisfaction. However, areas of focus for the banks are quicker decision-making, recognition for employees in day-today work and overall leadership effectiveness. Organisations which work towards mental well-being of their employees can achieve a greater performance given the correlation of this attribute directly/indirectly to other attributes. This paper recommends a hybrid model of working (few days at office and few day remotely), review of decision-making process, virtual social interaction methods and ways to bring about speak-up culture.  This research does not delve deep into the causes of performance/non-performance andcan have an undefined bias due to convenient sampling. Aim of this paper is to contribute to management research by identifying focus areas for organisations to enhance and sustain their performance.