Agile working and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

This chapter aims to shed light on well-being dimensions and on the implications of theimplementation of agile working in the Italian Public Research Organisations (PROs). Theempirical investigation is based on an original web-based survey administered during the COVID19 pandemic to researchers and technologists (R&Ts) of the CNR - the National ResearchCouncil of Italy - and INAF - the National Institute of Astrophysics. This study focuses on themain determinants of improvements and/or deteriorations of R&Ts' well-being. Does agile workfavour the reconciliation between work and free/family time? Are there specific characteristicsthat influence the respondents' well-being? We combined quantitative and qualitative analyses toanswer to these research questions, and we estimated a multinomial logistic model to identify themain determinants of perceived changes in R&Ts' work-family balance and qualitativemethodology to obtain further insights on the perceived benefits and limits of agile working. Sincewell-being during agile working can be affected by personal, environmental, and organisationalfactors, the analysis of advantages and criticalities can help developing better strategies toimplement agile working in the post-pandemic world.