Spelling suggestions: "subject:"telecommuting -- 0nvironmental aspects"" "subject:"telecommuting -- anvironmental aspects""
1 |
The slow adoption of telecommuting in South AfricaOkoli, Nwakego Joy January 2016 (has links)
Thesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University, 2016. / Climate change imposes indisputable burdens on economic development by significantly causing damage to the environment. In the transportation sector, carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles are seen as top environmental pollutants around the world and in South Africa. Despite increasing environmental issues, many people, including business leaders, generally think of environmental issues as disconnected from their everyday business lives and behavioural patterns.
The Republic of South Africa as a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) encourages any practices and processes that will control, reduce or prevent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. The adoption of telecommuting for travel reduction can impact positively on environmental sustainability by reducing the amount of commuter driving and thus reducing carbon emissions. Telecommuting is an arrangement where an employee works from home or out of office using telecommunication links (internet, email and/or telephone) to reduce commuting to and from the office, enhance productivity in the organisation, and reduce office space requirements. However, despite the well documented benefits of telecommuting, the uptake of telecommuting in South Africa is slow.
This study falls under the Green Information Technology research field. The aim of the study is to identify the reasons behind the slow adoption of telecommuting in South African organisations. The study followed embedded multiple-case studies. Qualitative data were collected from nine companies using semi-structured interviews with 19 participants comprising of Information Technology (IT) and Human Resource (HR) managers, telecommuters and non-telecommuters. The companies were selected to be as diverse as possible in the operating sector and both purposive and snowball strategies were used.
|
2 |
Energy and environmental benefits of alternative work arrangementsHasan, Ajaz 05 1900 (has links)
The present rate of fossil fuel burning, the main source of commercial energy, is adversely
impacting global climate. Present social and economic practices need to be examined to
question their level of energy use and related greenhouse gas emission. Energy used to
operate buildings and to transport people is a significant portion of the total energy consumption
and reductions in these uses will be crucial to addressing the global issues.
This thesis examines the potential for energy use reduction in the performance of office work
through the use of Alternative Work Arrangements ("AWAs"). The analysis considers the
operating energy of an office building, operating energy of alternative work locations and the
transportation energy spent by employees in commuting from home to work.
A brief synopsis of the present atmospheric, energy use and workplace trend is presented. The
synthesis of these trends is used as a framework to evaluate the impact of AWAs. The work
arrangements in the Burnaby Fraser Tax Services Office ('BFTSO'), Surrey, BC are used as a
case study to analyze the operating and commuting energy spent by the employees working by
different arrangements. Telework is found to be the most energy efficient work arrangement
implemented at the BFTSO. Under optimum operating conditions, net energy saving per
teleworker can be 34.06 GJ per annum. Net savings in greenhouse gas emission per
teleworker can be 1950 kg per annum. For hoteling work arrangement, net energy savings per
hoteling employee under optimum conditions can be 32 GJ per annum. Related savings in
greenhouse gas emissions can be 1532 kg per annum.
The proportion of total operating and total commuting energy for the BFTSO is almost equal.
However, the greenhouse gas emission from total commuting energy is three times that from
operating energy due to differences in carbon intensity of the fuel mix. Under optimum
conditions the implementation of AWAs at the BFTSO can result in 36 percent saving in total
operating energy and 43 percent saving in total commuting energy. The magnitude of the
savings is location dependent due to differences in climate, fuel mix and transportation patterns.
Alternative Work Arrangements have mixed social impact. It can improve the ability of
employees to balance their personal and professional life. It can also lead to isolation that can
adversely impact morale and work output. The participation rate in AWAs within organizations
is currently low, less than 2 percent. However, the implementation of AWA is widespread with
most organizations using some form of AWA. To increase the participation rate in AWAs, a
comprehensive approach needs to be adopted, considering the professional, personal,
economic and social impact of AWAs. Government intervention through supporting regulations
and incentives can be a strong catalyst for increasing participation rates in AWAs.
|
3 |
Energy and environmental benefits of alternative work arrangementsHasan, Ajaz 05 1900 (has links)
The present rate of fossil fuel burning, the main source of commercial energy, is adversely
impacting global climate. Present social and economic practices need to be examined to
question their level of energy use and related greenhouse gas emission. Energy used to
operate buildings and to transport people is a significant portion of the total energy consumption
and reductions in these uses will be crucial to addressing the global issues.
This thesis examines the potential for energy use reduction in the performance of office work
through the use of Alternative Work Arrangements ("AWAs"). The analysis considers the
operating energy of an office building, operating energy of alternative work locations and the
transportation energy spent by employees in commuting from home to work.
A brief synopsis of the present atmospheric, energy use and workplace trend is presented. The
synthesis of these trends is used as a framework to evaluate the impact of AWAs. The work
arrangements in the Burnaby Fraser Tax Services Office ('BFTSO'), Surrey, BC are used as a
case study to analyze the operating and commuting energy spent by the employees working by
different arrangements. Telework is found to be the most energy efficient work arrangement
implemented at the BFTSO. Under optimum operating conditions, net energy saving per
teleworker can be 34.06 GJ per annum. Net savings in greenhouse gas emission per
teleworker can be 1950 kg per annum. For hoteling work arrangement, net energy savings per
hoteling employee under optimum conditions can be 32 GJ per annum. Related savings in
greenhouse gas emissions can be 1532 kg per annum.
The proportion of total operating and total commuting energy for the BFTSO is almost equal.
However, the greenhouse gas emission from total commuting energy is three times that from
operating energy due to differences in carbon intensity of the fuel mix. Under optimum
conditions the implementation of AWAs at the BFTSO can result in 36 percent saving in total
operating energy and 43 percent saving in total commuting energy. The magnitude of the
savings is location dependent due to differences in climate, fuel mix and transportation patterns.
Alternative Work Arrangements have mixed social impact. It can improve the ability of
employees to balance their personal and professional life. It can also lead to isolation that can
adversely impact morale and work output. The participation rate in AWAs within organizations
is currently low, less than 2 percent. However, the implementation of AWA is widespread with
most organizations using some form of AWA. To increase the participation rate in AWAs, a
comprehensive approach needs to be adopted, considering the professional, personal,
economic and social impact of AWAs. Government intervention through supporting regulations
and incentives can be a strong catalyst for increasing participation rates in AWAs. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School of / Graduate
|
Page generated in 0.1233 seconds