The continued adoption of telecommuting by technical writers: evaluating the impact of economic recession and the events of September 11, 2001
Date
2004
Authors
Hallmark, Bruce Thomas, author
Long, Marilee, advisor
Switzer, Jamie Sneider, committee member
Hopkins, Willie E., committee member
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Abstract
This study gathered information, through in-depth interviews with eight technical writers, about the perceived attributes of telecommuting. Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory provided a model for understanding the process by which innovations (e.g., technologies, ideas, and practices-such as telecommuting) are adopted or rejected. Participants were asked 34 questions about the five perceived attributes of innovations (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability) as they related to telecommuting. The effects of the U.S. economic recession, which began in 2001 and hit the high-technology industry especially hard, and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, were also looked at as factors that could influence the continued adoption of telecommuting. Based on the results of the interviews, participants reported all relative advantages (e.g., more time with family, flexible work schedule) and disadvantages (e.g., social isolation, over working) identified in the literature review, in addition to network connectivity problems, which seven participants routinely encountered when working off-site. Telecommuting was reported by participants to be widely compatible with the cultures of their companies, it addressed many personal needs of participants (e.g., higher productivity, personal flexibility), and participants said their work was valued equally with that of their coworkers. Participants reported that the complexity of telecommuting was low, the trialability was high, and observability was enhanced by participants who occasionally switched the days they telecommuted, maintained good communication with coworkers and supervisors, and who produced quality work products. The desirability of telecommuting was not affected by economic factors, and the majority of participants were not concerned about workplace terrorism in the United States. When deciding whether to continue telecommuting, participants indicated that neither the economy nor reactions to September 11, 2001, were factors used by them or their employers. Participants unanimously believed that telecommuting had substantially more benefits than working full time in their primary offices, and they saw it as a viable way to balance the demands of their personal and professional lives. Access to the same range of work options enjoyed by regular employees was reported by the two contract or temporary workers in the study. But regardless of employment status, formal agreements or work contracts did not govern most telecommuting arrangements, which is an oversight that could easily leave both parties vulnerable to a host of problems. This informal approach potentially relegates telecommuting to the status of a work style rather than a legitimate business strategy. Recommendations for further study are included.
Description
Rights Access
Subject
Telecommuting
Technical writing