Title: Ecological realities of telework in four different futures: living, working and travelling in new knowledge-intensive communities

Authors: Sirkka Heinonen, Tuomo Kuosa

Addresses: VTT Building and Transport, P.O. Box 1800, FIN-02044 VTT, Finland. ' Turku School of Economics and Business Administration, Finland Futures Research Centre, Korkeavuorenkatu 25A 2, FIN-00130 Helsinki, Finland

Abstract: Telework is an alternative way of organising work in an information society. However, its impacts on the environment and on transport may not automatically be beneficial. In a sustainable information society, telework should be implemented in specific environmentally managed ways for which this article gives recommendations. Telework is closely linked to the larger concepts of working, housing and travelling in communities. Accordingly, the changes in these areas determine the developments that will take place around the thematique of telework. Four different futures are presented here based on a possible bifurcation that is anticipated to occur after the information society. What kind of a working culture and teleworking pattern will prevail in each of the depicted futures in 2030? The recommendations for eco-managed telework are reconsidered in each of these four futures. To conclude, an analysis will be given on the appropriateness of the recommendations in order to proactively create ecologically sustainable realities of telework in different future working vistas.

Keywords: eco-managed telework; futures images; sustainable information society; bio-age; fusion age; talent age; sustainability; knowledge-intensive communities; eco-management; sustainable development.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2005.007814

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2005 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.329 - 357

Published online: 23 Sep 2005 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article