An online survey on the effects of agile working in Italian Public Research Organisations

This contribution summarizes the reference framework and main features of the online surveylaunched by CNR-IRCrES as part of the project Agile working in research institutions:organisational factors and individual behaviors in the production of knowledge. The survey aimsto explore the individuals' effects of the massive activation of agile working, due to the spread ofCOVID-19 pandemic, within selected Italian Public Research Organisations (PROs). Theseorganisations belong to a peculiar work sector, mainly characterized by intellectual and creativework performances, which include highly innovative activities. Considering the extensiveimplementation of this work mode in emergency circumstances, the investigation deals withspecific dimensions of the individual's scientific work, such as productivity, collaborations, andother research routines. The survey has a specific interest in the value of the organisationalautonomy of the research workers and considers side aspects connected to personal and socialwell-being as well. An overview on the literature on agile working and on the Italian legislationwill introduce the main analytical dimensions treated. The survey design is outlined retracing thestages of the research implementation, like the definition of the target population (researchers andtechnologists from the PROs) and the strategy for contacting the respondents. As regard both tothe public and the private sector, the investigations on the effects of the implementation of agileworking are at the early stages. Thus, the strategy presented configures as a methodologicalproposal to be applied for studying the adaptation processes and the eventual changes inintellectual or creative jobs