THE NEW “NORMAL”: TRANSFORMATION OF THE STEREOTYPE OF WORK USING ICTS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MOTIVATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Background: The new reality is accelerating the business model transformation at a faster pace than ever before to ensure existential survival in a crisis for which no one was prepared. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a dramatic impact on society, business (entrepreneurship) and government institutions. The topic for the COVID-19 pandemic consequences and dissemination on modern society is in its infancy, at least because it is unfolding spatially and temporally on a local, regional, and global scale. This is a good opportunity to make in-depth analyses on the problem area under consideration. The authors’ focus is to study the experience of entrepreneurs from EU member states to tackle the problems faced as a result of the pandemic using information and communication technologies (ICT). The research follows the following three stages: (1) preliminary research and specification of the opportunities for implementation of new technologies; (2) modeling and formalization of the entrepreneurs’ experience focused on digitalization; (3) generating a set of innovative solutions that could be applied in enterprises focused on increasing the employees’ motivation. Objective: This study aimed to design new opportunities to rethink the organization of work using innovative solutions based on digitalization. Materials and Methods: The authors’ research is based on secondary analysis of empirical data and content analyses. Empirical data collected from empirical studies conducted by private and state sociological agencies, as well as authors' teams from scientific and educational institutions, are the arrays on which secondary data processing can be done. For this paper, several information arrays have been selected. The methodology of analysis connected with the impact of the crisis on the use and application of ICT in business is done in several directions. On the one hand, the influence in the international aspect is studied, on the other - on the sectoral level and, as a third aspect – in relation to the size of the enterprises. Data used in this paper is provided by the National Statistical Institutes and is based on the annual Eurostat model questionnaires on ICTs usage and e-commerce in enterprises. Various national and European surveys on COVID-19 are also considered. To test our hypothesis, we used comprehensive desk research based upon literature review in the period December 2021 – March 2022. Results: The results of the study highlight several important points. On the one hand, the increased influence of ICT elements on modern business is clear. Businesses are increasingly using ICT in their work. These conclusions are at an overall European level, with an increase reported not only by EU member states but also by other European countries. On the other hand, Bulgaria ranks among the countries with a smaller increase in the use of ICT in business operations, compared to other non-EU member states. Structured measures were established in the light of a specific problem connected with the employees’ motivation, the dimensions of the new normal were marked and suggestions about modeling the motivation environment were set. The proposed is applicable and adapted to the specifics of the emergency situations and the respective national context. Practical Implications: These findings provide an overview of the experience of entrepreneurs from EU member states how to tackle the problems faced by the pandemic using information and communication technologies and the opportunities to increase the employees’ motivation that could be used by academic and business representatives, public institutions, and private stakeholders. Originality/Value: This would help companies improve the crisis management activities and implement management through motivation.

Keywords

• information and communication technologies
• motivation
• covid-19 pandemic