TOWARD A TELEWORK TAXONOMY AND TEST FOR SUITABILITY - A SYNTHESIS OF THE LITERATURE

The current merging of computer and communications technologies is fac ilitating the trend toward telework-remote work arrangements enabled b y information technology. Organizations today have ever increasing opt ions in the management and distribution of their work processes. In th is study, we review the research on telework conducted in the United S tates, Western Europe, and Japan. We then propose a taxonomy for class ifying different types of telework. Using this taxonomy, we examine th e spatial, coordination, and temporal structures of different types of telework. Previous research results indicate that the introduction of telework is a complex process and has profound implications for the o rganization. However, this research critically lacks any guidance for the decision maker in determining the feasibility of implementing tele work. We propose a framework for a telework suitability test to determ ine the appropriateness of telework in a particular situation. This te lework suitability test integrates existing research findings with fut ure research areas.