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An investigation of selected variables affecting telecommuting productivity and satisfaction

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Abstract

While telecommuting has received considerable attention in recent years, most of the discussion is descriptive and the empirical investigations have been limited. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of selected variables on telecommuting productivity and satisfaction. Respondents (N=97) were from eleven different public and private organizations. Five research propositions were examined. Among the findings, telecommuter satisfaction with the performance evaluation system was significantly correlated with both telecommuting productivity and satisfaction. Technical and emotional support received from the telecommuting supervisor was significantly correlated with telecommuting satisfaction, and the negataive correlation between family disruptions and telecommuting satisfaction was also statistically significant. A significant negative correlation between the ratio of telecommuting hours to total work hours and telecommuting productivity was revealed. Interestingly, child care issues and most demographic and occupational characteristics were not significantly correlated with either telecommuting productivity or satisfaction. A detailed discussion of the implications of the results is provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. D.B.A., College of Business Administration, Bradley University, 61625, Peoria, IL

    Richard I. Hartman & Charles R. Stoner

  2. University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA

    Raj Arora

Authors
  1. Richard I. Hartman
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  2. Charles R. Stoner
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  3. Raj Arora
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Hartman, R.I., Stoner, C.R. & Arora, R. An investigation of selected variables affecting telecommuting productivity and satisfaction. J Bus Psychol 6, 207–225 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01126709

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01126709

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