The Impact of Remote Work on Employee Engagement and Productivity: A Systematic Review and Theoretical Synthesis

Author (s)

Richard Wemesa, Oyoo Samson Otukene, Joshua Mwesigye, & Geoffrey Kasozi

Abstract

The shift to remote working has been one of the biggest organizational changes in recent history, and the COVID-19 pandemic has driven the adoption of this approach in many industries. However, there is no current empirical evidence to confirm the impact of remote work on employee engagement and productivity, especially in sub-Saharan African settings which have been largely absent in the literature. This systematic review aims to review the evidence of the effect of remote work on engagement and productivity in the organizational context from empirical studies, theories, and international evidence with a particular focus on Zambia and the wider Sub-Saharan Africa context. Using a combination of Self-Determination Theory and Job Demands-Resources Theory, the review highlights the importance of meeting autonomy needs and maintaining relatedness through intentional communication practices in order to improve engagement when working remotely. Productivity results depend on role clarity, quality of supervisory feedback and availability of technological resources. Organizational and personal factors, such as management practices, job attributes and home environment, are found to be important moderators. The review highlights the significant knowledge gaps in studying remote work in Zambia, outlines evidence-informed recommendations to human resource practitioners, and presents a broad empirical research agenda for primary study in the future. This research adds to the theoretical and practical knowledge of the remote work dynamics in underrepresented geographic and cultural areas.

Key words: Remote Work, Employee Engagement, Productivity, Self-Determination Theory, Job Demands-Resources Theory, Sub-Saharan Africa, Hybrid Work.

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Cite This Article:

Wemesa, R., Otukene, O. S., Mwesigye, J., & Kasozi, G. (2026). The Impact of Remote Work on Employee Engagement and Productivity: A Systematic Review and Theoretical Synthesis, Journal of Scientific Reports, 14(1), 352-371. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58970/JSR.1220

About Author (s)

Richard Wemesa (Corresponding Author), Department of Management Sciences, King Ceasor University, Kampala, Uganda, Plot 32, King Ceasor Road, Ggaba Road, Kampala Uganda; Department of Applied Business Administration, Cornerstone University Uganda, Plot 2312 and 67 Bweyogere, Kazinga, Kira, Wakiso, Uganda;  Department of research & Consultancy, The Uganda institute of banking and financial services, Kampala Uganda, Plot 10 Buganda Road, P.O.Box 4986, Kampala Uganda; Department of Business Administration, Unicaf University, Plot 53B, Ntinda II Road/Nakawa Division, Kampala Uganda. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3425-4268

Oyoo Samson Otukene, Department of Management Sciences, King Ceasor University, Kampala, Uganda, Plot 32, King Ceasor Road, Ggaba Road, Kampala Uganda. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5493-1261

Joshua Mwesigye, Faculty of Engineering Design and Technology, Department of Computing and Technology, Uganda Christian University, Plot 67-173, Bishop Tucker Road, Mukono, Uganda. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2815-0516

Geoffrey Kasozi, School of Business, Uganda Christian University, Plot 67-173, Bishop Tucker Road, Mukono, Uganda. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6449-9635

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.58970/JSR.1220

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