Title: The rise of teleworking in the USA: key issues for managers in the information age

Authors: Yasin Ozcelik

Addresses: Department of Information Systems & Operations Management, Dolan School of Business, Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824, USA

Abstract: Teleworking is a work arrangement by which a corporate employee regularly works at an alternate worksite, such as the employee|s home or a satellite office, by using Information Technology (IT) and the internet for collaboration. Many companies in the USA have successfully adopted teleworking as part of their employment policy and it may continue to be a business trend due to the prevailing financial turmoil that forces companies to cut costs while achieving operational excellence. In this paper, we first identify the major historical factors that have favoured teleworking in the USA for the past two decades. We then highlight certain benefits and risks of teleworking for employees, businesses, the society and the economy. We make several managerial and technical recommendations for corporate managers regarding a successful initiation and execution of teleworking projects. Finally, we contemplate on the future of teleworking under the light of advancements in IT and the internet.

Keywords: teleworking; telecommuting; business information systems; internet; world wide web; home working; USA; United States; alternate worksites; satellite offices; ICT; information technology; communications technology; employment policies; cost reduction; operational excellence; economy; corporate management; employees; managers; human resources; collaborative working.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2010.031927

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2010 Vol.5 No.3, pp.211 - 229

Published online: 03 Mar 2010 *

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