Stephen Shih, a partner with Bain & Company based in the company’s Shanghai office, believed the coronavirus was one of a number of factors driving the increase in remote working.
 
He argued that the development of cheaper and more widely available video-conferencing technology and collaboration tools also played a role. In addition, the pressure to offer more flexible working to retain talent and have a greater consideration for individuals’ carbon footprints, were other factors propelling change in company policies.