During the spring of 2026, I'm conducting interviews to build the framework for the empirical dataset required for my Master Thesis.
If you can participate, please reach out.
www.tim-palm.com · [email protected]
Abstract (WIP)
The rapid transition to hybrid and remote modes of work and learning has transformed how organizations and universities rely on digital meeting tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. While these platforms enable communication and collaboration across distance, their actual effectiveness depends on a complex interplay of technical, social, and institutional factors. This master’s thesis explores which digital meeting tools are perceived as effective in hybrid contexts and, crucially, why they are sustained within organizations and higher education.
Adopting a constructionist and interpretivist stance, the study employs a qualitative research design grounded in hermeneutic understanding and abductive reasoning. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with IT-related decision-makers in Swedish universities. The analysis follows a constructionist interpretation of Grounded Theory, where theoretical categories are developed inductively from participants’ accounts and iteratively refined through constant comparison and theoretical sampling.
The purpose of the study is to uncover the underlying motivations, perceptions, and contextual conditions that shape the adoption and continued use of specific digital meeting tools. Rather than assessing tools solely by technical performance, the research aims to reveal how integration, accessibility, organizational norms, and user experience collectively determine perceived effectiveness. The intended outcome is a theoretically grounded model that deepens understanding of digital meeting practices in hybrid environments and provides insights for both academia and professional practice.