| The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of telecommuting on employees' job performance. In the absence of any empirical research on this association, concern has been growing among business organizations, investors, and stakeholders. Guided by Taylor's scientific management and modern management theories, this study examined the relationship between the independent variable in the study, the teleworkers and non-teleworkers, and the dependent variable, their average production output. Production output and worked hours of FY 2010 and 2011 were collected from the publicly available source of the United States Patent and Trademark Office website. Data were analyzed via a t test, which indicated a significant difference in production output based on worker type, with telecommuters more productive than non-telecommuters. Managers and investors could use the results of the study to make better informed decisions about telecommuting programs. Telecommuting can lead to business work efficiencies; better work life balance for the employees; more employment, especially for the disabled, elderly, mothers, and rural residents; less pollution; and less oil consumption for society. The implications for social change include useful policies affecting how telecommuting shapes the workplaces of the future, intertwines with globalization to shape the remainder of the 21st century, and offers new approaches to address global challenges. |
