What is hybrid work? Towards greater conceptual clarity of a common term and understanding its consequences

Abstract

The concept of ‘hybrid work’, characterized by ongoing alternation between traditional and non-traditional work modes, has gained significant attention in recent research. Despite its growing relevance, a consistent and coherent conceptualization of hybrid work remains elusive. This article aims to address this gap by offering a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of hybrid work, contributing to conceptual clarity in its application. We draw on an extensive literature review to propose a definition of hybrid work that encompasses dynamic switches across three dimensions: modality (analog/face-to-face vs. digital/virtual), location (office/co-located vs. non-office/distributed), and temporality (constrained/synchronous vs. unconstrained/asynchronous). Building on existing literature and our dynamic, three-dimensional, and multilevel definition of hybrid work, we reinterpret key findings within the HRM domain, illustrating how our framework brings clarity to previously ambiguous aspects of hybrid work. This reinterpretation not only underscores the theoretical contributions of our definition but also identifies new research directions inspired by these insights. • This article contributes to conceptual clarity in the HRM field, advancing research on hybrid work and inspiring further investigations. • Hybrid work can be understood through a three-dimensional framework that considers modality, location, and temporality. • Hybrid work involves individual-level switches in work modes and collective-level characterization of work mode extent and (a)symmetry.