Research overview · 13.11.2026

Remote Work and Job Satisfaction: Autonomy Needs Purpose

Author: Martina Mundová

Working from home is not automatically the same as feeling free. A Spanish study explored links between work arrangements, perceived autonomy, organisational purpose and satisfaction.

Who was included

Domenech and Danvila-del-Valle analysed data from 380 workers in Spain who were either hybrid or fully remote. Their statistical models examined perceived autonomy, purpose and job satisfaction.

The study drew on the Job Demands–Resources framework, which considers conditions that support employee well-being.

What the findings suggest

Fully remote workers in this sample reported lower perceived autonomy and purpose than hybrid workers. Both psychological resources were associated with job satisfaction.

That does not mean all home working is worse. Telework arrangements vary, and a survey-based model does not establish a causal effect.

Autonomy is more than location

Someone may work from home while facing unclear tasks, intensive monitoring or expectations of constant availability. A well-designed arrangement can instead provide discretion and support.

For small teams, agreeing on deliverables, decision-making scope and communication norms is often useful.

Suggestions for managers

WEBU proposes concise weekly priorities, agreed contact hours and regular conversations about how tasks contribute to the project's purpose. People benefit from understanding not just what they do but why.

Predictable boundaries between work and personal time matter too. These recommendations were not experimentally tested by this study.

Limits and conclusion

The research took place in one national context and evaluated associations in observational data. It cannot establish the same outcomes across all occupations or personalities.

The experience of autonomy, support and purpose deserves more attention than simply counting days spent at home.

Research source

Domenech, T., & Danvila-del-Valle, I. (2026). The influence of telework on job satisfaction through autonomy and purpose. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 22, 71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-026-01209-6