The Impact of COVID-19 and Remote Work on Software Development in Thailand
🤖 AI Summary
This study addresses the lack of empirical research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote work in emerging Asian software markets, focusing on Thailand. Using a mixed-methods survey—comprising structured questionnaires and statistical analysis—administered to 194 Thai software developers, it systematically compares pre- and post-pandemic changes in productivity, occupational well-being, and organizational adaptability. Results indicate that remote work did not significantly impair developer productivity or mental/physical health; however, it exposed critical localization challenges—including cross-time-zone collaboration difficulties, insufficient managerial cultural adaptation, and inequitable access to home-office infrastructure—while also revealing unique benefits such as enhanced work satisfaction through flexible arrangements. As the first empirical investigation of remote work’s differential effects on software development practice in a lower-middle-income country context, this study provides evidence-based insights to inform technology workforce policy and agile transformation strategies in the Global South.
Application Category
📝 Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the way of working, including software development. During the pandemic, software companies were forced to work remotely, and many companies have been using such work arrangements. There are prior studies showing the benefits and drawbacks of remote work in software development during COVID-19. However, there is no study that targets Thailand, one of the growing software markets in Asia, specifically. This paper performs an empirical study of the effects of COVID-19 on software development in Thailand. We surveyed 194 Thai software developers regarding the challenges and benefits they faced while working remotely during the COVID-19 period. The results show no statistically significant changes in the productivity and well-being of Thai software developers before and after working remotely due to the pandemic. The results show that software developers in Thailand both received benefits and faced challenges from remote work during COVID-19, similar to results reported by other studies, but with some unique differences. This study can be beneficial to similar Asian countries or other low- and middle-income countries around the world.
Problem
Research questions and friction points this paper is trying to address.
Examining COVID-19's impact on remote software development in Thailand
Investigating productivity and well-being changes in Thai developers
Identifying unique remote work challenges and benefits in Thailand
Innovation
Methods, ideas, or system contributions that make the work stand out.
Surveying Thai developers on remote work
Analyzing productivity changes during pandemic
Identifying unique challenges in Asian context
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