Modeling the Process of Adoption of Telecommuting: Comprehensive Framework

Abstract

A comprehensive model of the telecommuting adoption process, incorporating employer and employee perspectives, is developed. A probabilistic modeling approach is taken. The employer decision to offer a telecommuting program is modeled as a function of motivations and constraints and of the perceived impacts of telecommuting on the organization's productivity and costs. The employee decision to adopt telecommuting is modeled as a function of motivations and constraints as well as of the impact of the program on lifestyle quality, work-related costs, and income. The results indicate that telecommuting has a significant potential to increase productivity and improve lifestyle quality, if the right program is designed for the right employee. The potential of telecommuting to reduce organization and employee work-related costs is perceived to be limited. An overall negative perception about the potential impact on productivity and lifestyle quality of telework center–based telecommuting programs is identified, pointing to a need for further research to assess the market for telework centers.