“Give me some flexibility and I will perform better”: longitudinal lessons on the antecedents of job performance

Purpose This paper aims to examine the longitudinal relationships between the intensity of remote work (IRW) and job performance (JP) with the mediation effect of work–life balance (WLB) and moderation by work overload (WO). Design/methodology/approach A three-wave longitudinal survey, covering pre-pandemic period, the pandemic itself and the post-pandemic period, was conducted among 291 employees. The authors applied linear regression analysis with a moderated mediation effect and the cross-lagged structural equation model with longitudinal mediation using Mplus 8. Findings The results show that relationships between IRW and WLB and WLB and JP are negative in the short term; yet over time, employees are able to adapt and benefit from the flexibility offered by remote work (RW). WLB can contribute to better JP in the long run. Furthermore, WLB plays a moderating role in the long-term relationship between RW and JP. There is the second-stage negative moderation effect on this relationship by WO. Practical implications This study recommends a proactive approach toward flexible solutions for employees. It explains that the positive effects of IRW for WLB and JP appear in the longer perspective. Support from organizations to mitigate negative short-term effects is required. Organizations can leverage the mediating role of WLB between IRW and JP in the long term by providing resources and support to help employees achieve WLB in RW settings. Originality/value This study extends the research on the antecedents of JP of employees and enriches the extant literature that shows inconsistent findings in terms of the relationships among RW, WLB and JP. It also focuses on the rarely explored intensity of RW. It fills the gap in previous research using a longitudinal research approach. The longitudinal data provide unique and innovative insights into the antecedents of JP of employees and explain complex relationships between them in both the short and long term.