REMOTE ONBOARDING OF STAFF IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND REMOTE WORKING

Abstract

The theoretical foundations for developing the concept of remote onboarding of personnel in the context of digital transformation of the economy and changes in employment formats were explored. It has been proven that the spread of remote work, active digitalisation of business processes, as well as the socio-economic challenges of wartime have necessitated a rethinking of traditional approaches to the adaptation of new employees and the introduction of modern digital personnel management tools. The importance of effective onboarding as a key part of the HR management system, which helps employees quickly integrate professionally, socially, and culturally into the organisational environment, has been justified. The study summarises modern approaches to interpreting the essence of onboarding as a comprehensive adaptation process that combines professional, social and psychological aspects of employee inclusion in the organisation's activities. The features of the transformation of this process in the context of the spread of remote work formats and the digitalisation of management practices were revealed. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and military events in Ukraine on the development of virtual staff adaptation practices is analysed, which contributed to the active implementation of digital HR tools and the formation of new models of interaction between employer and employee. The paper systematises the main stages of the onboarding process, including pre-onboarding, familiarisation, training, adaptation, integration and assessment stages, and identifies the specifics of their implementation in a remote format. It identifies the key tools of digital onboarding, including the use of LMS platforms, task management systems, electronic document management, video communications, and gamification elements. Particular attention is paid to the role of pre-onboarding as a preparatory stage of adaptation, which involves creating an information environment for new employees through the use of welcome letters, welcome books, and welcome kits. The importance of combining technological tools with socio-psychological mechanisms of staff support in order to maintain engagement, build trust and strengthen corporate culture in the context of remote interaction is substantiated. It has been proven that the effectiveness of remote onboarding depends not only on the level of digital automation of processes, but also on the quality of communication, interactivity of interaction, and systematic management approaches to staff adaptation. It has been summarised that remote onboarding in modern conditions is an independent management technology aimed at ensuring the continuity of business processes, increasing the effectiveness of new employee adaptation, and supporting the stability of organisational activities in conditions of dynamic socio-economic changes.