Research direction

University of Pécs researchers / instructors and staff survey

Duration of research: 2020. April 28th – May 15.

At this stage of research, we focus on the results of PTE instructors’ surveys, focusing in particular on digital education and home office work activities. During the survey, quantitative inquiries were conducted using an online standard questionnaire. The focus was on assessing the situation of the home office based on key issues of management, organization, and internal communication. We also asked the trainers about their experiences in digital education and their future plans. Data processing was carried out with the support of mathematical-statistical methods via SPSS software, while ensuring the maximum data security and anonymity that can be expected for online surveys.

In the context of home office work and the change in the situation, we examine employees' satisfaction with internal communication. We explore how the members of the organization see the level of information being provided, whether they will receive in time the sufficient and quality of information needed to work. In addition, we investigate the forms and ways of communication, the types of ICT-tools used, the frequency of use, the satisfaction with the tools, and the ways of work-coordination.

There are several beneficial effects that can be generated in the home office. A significant number of respondents thought that they had learned to make flexible arrangements for their time to work and to their private life. In the absence of personal contact, they had to rely on themselves, so they had worked more independently and creatively. On a scale of 1 to 5, the development of information and Communication Technology competences was 4.7, followed by flexibility, time management, and creativity (4.5). In the course of teleworking, colleagues communicated with each other through different platforms of communication The most commonly used tool was e-mail-based contacts (with Outlook, Gmail, etc.); the respondents were most satisfied with this form. Teleconferencing software (like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, etc.) as communication support tools were not so common, but those who used it were all satisfied with it (4.2).

 

However, the downside is that for many, the home office meant impersonality, isolation, and insecurity. Due to the forced situation, the blurring of work and private life was inevitable, and the shadow side of the home office also appeared in the form of overcrowding and frustration of the instructors.

In summary, the PTE instructors and researchers assessed home office positively. The survey shows that the majority of trainers are committed to developing digital education, and it is, therefore, appropriate to develop proposals in the topic, and to develop other tools to support education development at central, institutional and faculty level.

 

Labor market survey

Duration of research: 2020. May 6 – June 26

The company and employee survey was carried out using an online questionnaire method. The online questionnaires have focused on assessing the current state of home office work based on key issues of internal communication and organizational culture.
In the context of home office work and the change caused by the current situation, we examine employees' satisfaction with internal communication. We explore how the members of the organization see the level of information being provided, whether they will receive in time the sufficient and quality of information needed to work. In addition, we investigate the forms and ways of communication, the types of ICT-tools used, the frequency of use, the satisfaction with the tools, and the ways of work-coordination in the business sector.
79% of the respondents had never worked on teleworking, but 55% could imagine continuing to work as a home officer. 28% of the respondents would not work in this form. A távmunka során különböző kommunikációs eszközökön keresztül kommunikáltak egymással. during teleworking, they communicated with each other through different communication devices. In the course of teleworking, colleagues communicated with each other through different platforms of communication The most commonly used tool was e-mail-based contacts (with Outlook, Gmail, etc.); the respondents were most satisfied with this form. Teleconferencing software (like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype,,etc.) as communication support tools were not so common, but those who used it were all satisfied with it (4.1) According to 69% of the respondents, in order to be effective in digital communication, it is necessary to develop ICT- competences; according to  58% good time management is needed, and 54% mentioned good coordination competence.

 

On the dark side, several respondents considered that the biggest disadvantage of home office was the lack of personal contacts, the lack of communication, and, consequently, the inadequate flow of information. Due to the overload, most of the subordinates had problems with time management, as the burden on them caused struggling with time shortages.

 

 


Hungarian co-institutions of higher education teaching in Hungarian, international higher education institutions – instructor survey


Duration of research: 2020. May 12 – Aug 15  

At this stage of the research, we asked the management teachers of the Hungarian higher education institutions in the same way as the PTE survey. The online questionnaire was also sent to foreign higher education institutions and other international higher education institutions, which teach in Hungarian. Similar to domestic research, the topic of home office and digital education were the focus of the research. The questionnaire was prepared in English and sent to the partner institutions of the University of Pécs. 

 

Hungarian and foreign students of PTE, alumni survey


Duration of research: 2020. May 26. – Aug. 15  

The students of PTE were also asked in Hungarian and English using an online questionnaire method. The aim of the interview was to get their views on digital education and their experiences. Our questions were sent to the students as a part of the Graduate Career Tracking System of University of Pécs questionnaire, and the PTE student mailing list helped us with the English-language foreign student survey.
We also interviewed our alumni students who graduated a year and a half ago with the help of the Graduate Career Tracking system. 
 

Future research directions:

In order to increase representativeness and to make the results general and comparable, further surveys have been launched around national and international partner institutions.

After conducting quantitative interviews, we plan to conduct in-depth interviews with instructors to explore deeper, professional content.