Telecommuting Benefits and Implications: An Annotated Bibliography on Work Motivation and Work-Life Balance
Overview
This annotated bibliography examines existing research on telecommuting to understand its benefits and implications for workers and organizations. The paper argues that more people should telecommute due to increased comfort, fewer distractions, and improved work-life balance, analyzing three key studies on work motivation, productivity, and employee satisfaction in remote work environments.
What this annotated bibliography covers
- Introduction establishing telecommuting as a viable work mode with technological advancement
- Caillier (2012) study on work motivation in federal government teleworkers using FedView Survey data
- O'Leary (2013) opinion piece on productivity and job performance benefits of telecommuting
- Davis et al. (2014) research on work-life balance satisfaction among Russian-language freelancers
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Annotated Bibliography
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Introduction
Telecommuting has become a popular mode of work that has captured the attention of scholars and practitioners alike. With the recent technological advancements that facilitate mobile connections and affordable rates, working away from the traditional office has become a viable option for many individuals worldwide. Teleworking facilitates solid family-work balance and flexibility while minimizing the environmental impacts of mobility. This paper's primary objective is to analyze existing research on telecommuting to understand its benefits and implications.
Thesis statement: Research suggests that more people should telecommute because they are more comfortable, have fewer distractions, and acquire work-life balance.
- Caillier, J. G. (2012). The impact of teleworking on work motivation in a U.S. Federal government agency. The American Review of Public Administration, 42(4), 461-480. doi:10.1177/0275074011409394
This study's authors claim that teleworkers report more motivation regarding organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and job involvement. They suggest that more frequent teleworkers report being more motivated compared to infrequent ones. The data used in this study is the 2010 FedView Survey, which assesses government employees. The results of this analysis indicate that there is a high level of correlation between job involvement, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. While individuals working under supportive managers tend to be motivated, infrequent teleworkers reported higher motivation levels across all areas. This is the opposite of what was expected. However, one finding aligning with the hypothesis did emerge. It was established that employees who are allowed to telework have higher levels of motivation than those who are not allowed.
- O'Leary, M.