Navigating Interactions, Relationships, Trust, and Collaboration in Hybrid Workplaces - A Qualitative Study of Employees Working in MNCs

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how hybrid work has shaped interactions due to the partial absence of physical presence and the impact of these interactions in relationships and trust. Additionally, it will explore the role of managerial practices and communication technologies in shaping trust, relationships and collaboration in hybrid teams. Theory: This thesis builds on the concepts of interactions, relationships, trust, and collaboration, and it applies SET and LMX to understand how these elements function in hybrid work. It incorporates interpersonal trust to examine trust between colleagues, but also employees with their managers. System trust is also employed to investigate whether employees place greater reliance on technology or leadership to facilitate trust, relationships and collaboration Method: To explore these dynamics, a qualitative research design was employed, using semi-structured interviews with ten hybrid employees in MNCs. Purposive and snowball sampling strategies were used to identify participants with relevant hybrid work experience. Result: This study reveals that trust and strong relationships with managers often resulted in greater informal flexibility that sometimes overrides formal policies. Trust and relationships among employees is built easier through in-person interactions, but it is also possible remotely depending on the person, its productivity and communication. Flexibility, autonomy, availability and engagement were theorized by employees as the most critical factors that a manager should do to gain their trust.