The Effect of Long-Distance Leadership and Work from Home on the Employees’ Performance of the Public Sector Workers in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Sri Lanka's recent economic downturn, work-from-home (WFH) and long-distance leadership (LDL) have been widely adopted across sectors, raising concerns about their impact on employee performance. Thisstudy examines the effects of WFH and LDL on the performance of selected government employees in Sri Lanka using an explanatory sequential mixed-method approach. Quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires from 197 government employees and analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with seven public service employees and analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative findin show WFH and LDL positively impact employee performance, with WFH having a more significant influence. Qualitative results corroborate these findings, emphasizi effectiveness of remote work in enhancing performance. The study suggests government departments should promote remote work environments and invest in robust WFH infrastructure to maximize employee performance, especially when remote work becomes essential.