Teleworkers and the Internet

Paper Summary:

This paper evaluates a series of seven hypotheses that specifically focus on the implications of teleworkers' Internet use levels. The paper then looks at the dynamics of how teleworkers trade off the initial appeal of working from home with sufficient interaction and socialization with others in the work groups to fulfill affiliation, achievement and social needs. The paper concentrates on the work/life balance achieved by teleworkers, including the measurement of isolation behaviors as a result of Internet usage in the home. The paper contains tables.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
Conclusions

From the Paper:

"First, the study has proven that the traditionally considered measures of job satisfaction relating to telecommuting are not relevant; the aspects of persons' jobs including skill variety, autonomy, satisfaction with feedback all have statistically significant influences on the satisfaction of telecommuters. Of all factors evaluated, task importance and skill variety have the highest correlations, indicating that when telecommuting is used as a foundation for job enrichment, the optimal results are achieved according to the results of this study. Second, the mastery of a given job's responsibilities, when combined with the time savings of telecommuting, produces the highest levels of satisfaction. The challenges for any company considering a telecommuting program are to first create a series of strategies to enrich jobs and provide ample feedback throughout the duration and breadth of projects. Second, the need for ensuring the intersection of task importance and skill variety are continually supported and reinforced is critical. Third, participation and feedback is also critical, and while the respondents' needs for these types of support for managers were not mentioned, the data suggests this is also a critical aspect of ensuring high levels of job satisfaction for telecommuters."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Apgar, M., (1999). The alternative workplace: changing where and how people work. Harvard Business Review, 76, 3, 121-139.
• Bailyn, L. (2004). Times in careers, careers in time. Human Relations, 57, 12, 1507-1521.
• Brief, A. P. & Weiss, H. M. (2002). Organizational behavior: affect in the workplace. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 279-307.
• Crandall, W. & Gao, L. (2005). An update on telecommuting: review and prospects for emerging issues. Society of Advanced Management Journal.
• Dormann, C. & Zapf, D. (2001). Job satisfaction: a meta-analysis of stabilities. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 22, 483-504.

More papers on Teleworkers and the Internet:

• Research Paper # 16902 : "Teleworking"
• Research Paper # 105776 : "Telecommuting's Long-Term Impact on Employees"
• Term Paper # 133422 : "Is Telecommuting an Option?"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: