Distributed work and travel behaviour: The dynamics of interactive agency choices between employers and employees

This paper develops a framework within which multiple agents make discrete choices in respect of a common objective - the determination of participati on in distributed work, especially the opportunities and constraints associ ated with telecommuting. Ideas in discrete choice theory and game theory ar e combined to define a set of choice experiments in which employees and emp loyers interact in arriving at a choice path in a distributed work context. A state choice experiment with offers and feedback, known as an interactiv e agency choice experiment (IACE), is empirically investigated in the conte xt of telecommuting options with an exploratory sample of employees and emp loyers in Sydney, Australia. The approach highlights the role of informatio n and negotiation in breaking down the barriers to more flexible work activ ity, to deliver potential benefits to the transport system such as reduced traffic congestion and environmental sustainability. The paper identifies t he types of incentives that an employee/er has to offer the employer/employ ee in securing effective telecommuting.