Sabiroh Md Sabri, Hasyeilla Abd Mutalib, Sharifah Khairol Musairah, Nursyamilah Annuar and Nurul Labanihuda Abdull Rahman
Keywords: academics, COVID-19, Higher Education Institutions (HEI), nomadic, telework
Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia has announced the Movement Control Order (MCO) as a measure to curb the situation. This situation has resulted in a sudden temporary closure of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), which has caused unrest situation among academics due to vague instruction, not knowing how to carry out their responsibilities effectively. Despite the ambiguous condition, academics still have to carry out their teaching and learning duties, administrative work, research work, and training. This research aims to develop a post-COVID-19 nomadic working culture framework for academics in HEIs. Nomadic working culture refers to the work performed from places other than a standard office environment. It also has been referred to as telework, telecommuting, virtual work, work from home, mobile work or remote working. However, telework adoption is not getting much attention due to managers’ lack of trust and the need to meet other people face-to-face. Teleworking has been considered an alternative way of working. Teleworking has attracted both academics and practitioners ‘ attention by providing the alternative to work anywhere and anytime. This framework aims to assist the HEIs in providing academics with a more comprehensive working environment to ensure positive HEIs. This research adopted the qualitative method using a case study approach. It aimed to investigate the situation and analyze issues faced by the academics during the MCO in carrying out their duties in teaching and learning, administrative works, research works, and training. Data will be collected using semi-structured interviews involving respondents consists of academics from selected HEIs in Malaysia. This research will identify the issues faced by academics in carrying out their duties during the MCO. The findings were used to develop a comprehensive nomadic working environment framework that will help HEIs top management plan, strategize, and prepare a more conducive environment for academics. Implementing this framework will subsequently ensure a positive change in HEIs and enable academics to continue to be competitive in the future. This project would benefit HEIs in reducing the utility cost, saving the environment by reducing the carbon footprint, and creating awareness for authorities in providing facilities needed by the students for their studies.
