Digital Collaboration Tools: Ease of Use or Disruption in the Hybrid Work Shift

Abstract

Organizational coordination, communication, and employee performance maintenance have all changed as a result of the global transition to hybrid work. Digital collaboration technologies (DCTs) like workplace chat systems, shared document editors, video conferencing platforms, and hybrid meeting-room hardware are at the heart of this change. Although these technologies offer efficiency, flexibility, and ease of use, new research indicates they may also be disruptive, bringing about social network fragmentation, technological malfunctions, and unfairness.

A thorough literature study (2019–2024) on the dual role of DCTs in hybrid work is presented in this research, along with an analysis of whether their primary function is that of enablers or disruptors. In order to examine four empirical themes—adoption and perceived ease-of-use, technical reliability and meeting-level disruption, social-network and equity effects, and organizational moderators like infrastructure, training, and cultural norms—the review synthesizes theoretical perspectives such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), socio-technical systems theory, and organizational communication frameworks.

The results show a conditional finding: where organizational supports, reliability, and convenience of use are strong, DCTs can in fact promote employee happiness, productivity, and retention. On the other hand, they hinder cooperation when technical problems occur frequently, user perceptions are inconsistent, or standards are not well-established. The study points out research gaps, such as the requirement for studies with an equitable focus, randomized infrastructure initiatives, and longitudinal social network analysis. Recommendations for standardized platforms, dependable hardware investments, and training in digital literacy are examples of practical ramifications.

This paper offers an agenda for future research and managerial practice while also advancing knowledge of how DCTs influence hybrid work outcomes through a critical evaluation of the literature.