Digital Nomadism and Remote-First Organizational Design: Productivity and Culture Trade-Offs

Abstract

The rapid acceleration of digital technologies and the proliferation of remote work have fundamentally transformed the landscape of modern entrepreneurship and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). Digital nomadism—the practice of leveraging digital tools to work remotely from any location—and remote-first organizational design have shifted traditional notions of productivity, innovation, and workplace culture. The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a global experiment in remote work, compelling organizations of all sizes to reconsider their operational models (Pastor-Escuredo, 2021).