Telework: Existing research and future directions

Telework, which is defined as work performed at home or a satellite office to reduce commuting, is attracting much attention as an alternative way to organize work. Numerous studies have pointed out a variety of advantages of telework for individuals, organizations,and society. Current telework rese arch, however, displays many weaknesses that inhibit use of this alternativ e as an effective vehicle to promote distributive organizational design. Th is study was undertaken to characterize existing telework research, improve understanding of problems and issues of telework, and guide future researc h directions. A review of the relevant literature and a characterization of telework were conducted from 3 different angles: the research methodology, the focus of existing telework studies, and the research paradigm. First, an overall lack of robust research methodology was found in many studies. S econd, although telework is an organizational phenomenon, disproportionate attention has been given to teleworker-related personal issues. Finally,the current telework paradigm was discovered to be characterized by suitabilit y-based planning that selects appropriate persons and tasks and by ad hoc i mplementation in response to local needs. We suggest that future research c ould be enriched with more rigorous research methodology, more balanced foc us for studies, and more flexible perspectives in the research paradigm.