Title: Telework management and work practices: the case of an Australian telecentre

Authors: Chris Diamond

Addresses: School of Political Science and International Studies, University of Queensland, St Lucia Qld 4072, Australia

Abstract: The contemporary practice of employees working from an alternative location using information and communication technologies to maintain links with the usual workplace, termed telework, creates management and work practice challenges. The case of an Australian public sector organization|s telecentre highlights such issues and the importance of management to telework|s success. Despite a range of positive outcomes for employees and their employer, such as a better quality of working life, improved work-life balance and the pioneering of innovative and productive work practices, this experiment in post-Fordist flexibility was ultimately defeated by the lack of leadership skill displayed by an influential senior manager.

Keywords: teleworking; flexibility; post-Fordism; telework management; work practices; Australia; telecentres; public sector organisations; quality of working life; work-life balance; leadership skills.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTM.2008.018422

International Journal of Services Technology and Management, 2008 Vol.9 No.2, pp.93 - 102

Published online: 21 May 2008 *

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