Objetivo: Evaluar la confiabilidad de la aplicación virtual del método RULA modificado de Lueder para la evaluación postural en teletrabajadores. Métodos y Materiales: Estudio observacional de tipo instrumental, realizado en teletrabajadores mayores de 20 años que trabajaron en los tiempos de pre, durante y post confinamiento y no presentaron diagnósticos que impidan el desarrollo de su trabajo. Se utilizó el método Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) y la herramienta RULER para clasificar el nivel de acción de las posturas disergonómicas evaluadas en las fotografías obtenidas a través de videollamadas hechas previamente con el trabajador. Se validó el estudio mediante el juicio de expertos y se aplicó el porcentaje de acuerdo y el coeficiente de Kappa de Cohen para la confiabilidad intraevaluador e interevaluador. Resultados: Se reclutaron y se evaluaron a 80 teletrabajadores, en un rango de edades de 20 a 70 años. Los puntajes obtenidos por ambas evaluadoras fueron similares. Además, se determinó la confiabilidad interevaluador del método RULA modificado mediante el coeficiente Kappa, obteniendo un valor por encima del 0.8 con IC 95% (0.82-0.95) y un porcentaje de acuerdo mayor al 90%, por el contrario, la confiabilidad intraevaluador se obtuvo un porcentaje de acuerdo mayor al 60%, un valor de 0.5 y IC 95% (0.40-0.64). Conclusión: La aplicación virtual del método RULA modificado es confiable para la evaluación del riesgo ergonómico en los puestos de trabajo de teletrabajadores. / Objective: Assess reliability of the virtual application of Lueder's modified RULA method for postural assessment in teleworkers. Methods and Materials: Instrumental observational study, carried out on teleworkers over 20 years of age who worked in the pre-, during and post-confinement periods and did not present diagnoses that prevented them from carrying out their work. It was used the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method and the RULER tool to classify the level of action of the dysergonomic postures evaluated in the pictures obtained through the video calls made previously with the worker. It was validated by expert judgement and the percentage of agreement and Cohen's Kappa coefficient were applied for intra- and inter-rater reliability. Results: Eighty teleworkers, ranging in age from 20 to 70 years, were recruited and evaluated. The scores obtained by both assessors were similar. In addition, the inter-rater reliability of the modified RULA method was determined by means of the Kappa coefficient, obtaining a value above 0.8 with 95% CI (0.82-0.95) and a percentage of agreement greater than 90%, while the intra-rater reliability obtained a percentage of agreement greater than 60%, a value of 0.5 and 95% CI (0.40-0.64). Conclusion: The virtual application of the modified RULA method is reliable for ergonomic risk assessment at teleworkers' workstations. / Tesis

La transformación digital ha permitido convivir con nuevas alternativas de trabajo, inicialmente con el teletrabajo y ahora con el smart working. En este sentido, el principal objetivo de esta investigación es analizar las perspectivas del smart working como metodología de trabajo en las organizaciones. El presente substantial research paper (SRP) se llevó a cabo a partir de un estudio minucioso de diferentes artículos que poseen alto factor de impacto (FI) y se encuentran publicados en revistas indizadas. Por tanto, dicha selección respalda el desarrollo y las conclusiones de este trabajo de investigación. Como resultado del análisis de los artículos, se identificaron siete subtemas: (1) smart working: definición, características y formas de trabajo relacionadas, (2) smart work center (SWC), (3) desafíos para la implementación del smart working, (4) rol e impacto de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC) aplicadas al smart working, (5) experiencias de países u organizaciones que se aproximan a su implementación, (6) factores favorables para ambas partes: empresa y colaborador, (7) factores adversos para ambas partes: empresa y colaborador. Finalmente, cabe aclarar que esta modalidad de trabajo ya se practica en diversos países como Corea del Sur, Italia, Suecia, Holanda, Reino Unido, Rusia, Australia y Letonia. / The digital transformation has made it possible to coexist with new work alternatives, initially with teleworking and now with smart working. In this sense, the main objective of this research is to analyze the prospects of smart working as a work methodology in organizations. This substantial research paper (SRP) was carried out from a thorough study of different articles that have a high impact factor (IF) and are published in indexed journals. Therefore, this selection supports the development and conclusions of this research paper. As a result of the analysis of the articles, seven sub-themes were identified: (1) smart working: definition, characteristics and related forms of work, (2) smart work center (SWC), (3) challenges for the implementation of smart working, (4) role and impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) applied to smart working, (5) experiences of countries or organizations approaching its implementation, (6) favorable factors for both parties: company and collaborator, (7) adverse factors for both parties: company and collaborator. Finally, it should be noted that this type of work is already practiced in several countries such as South Korea, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Russia, Australia and Latvia. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional

Alex Chan Chi Cheung. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2000-2001, design report." / TABLE OF CONTENTS / Chapter 01 --- INTRODUCTION / IT impact on city urban pattems / Traditional limits / Future city live / Chapter 02 --- IMPLICATIONS / Living/ working pattern / Impact on Hong Kong / Existing state / Sociology of wired dwelling / Conclusion - Problem and opportunities / Precedent studies / Defining workspace - new working style / Chapter 03 --- SITE / Site criteria / Assumption - renewal approach / Potential site / Site justification (case study approach) / Site analysis - existing land use / Chapter 04 --- PROGRAMS / Target groups / Tentative programs and justification / Chapter 05 --- ARCHITECTURAL STRATEGIES / Project Aims / Design approach / Concepts / Chapter 06 --- APPENDIX

Globalisation, technological advancements and changing social needs result in virtual work arrangements becoming more prominent. Virtual work is conducted away from the traditional office setting and usually occurs in employees’ personal home environments. Virtual work has been called virtualling in this study, and virtual employees are referred to as virtuallers. A phenomenological orientation was adopted in studying completely virtual workers in a completely virtual context; sourcing of participants and data collection were also conducted completely virtually. This study presented new ways of conducting research in the modern, virtual world of work. An autoethnography was included, as the researcher is also a virtualler and insider of virtualling. Four key case studies are presented to provide a holistic picture of virtualling and virtuallers. Thematic results indicate key influencing factors that originate from virtualling, as well as factors and mindset requirements that pertain to the virtualler personally. It was further found and proposed that the resulting virtual environment changes virtuallers’ ways of doing things and viewing the world, hence results in changes in their lifestyle and career identity. The abstract psychological structure as it resulted from the thread of meanings was presented as virtualness. Authentic psychological identification with virtualling and adopting a boundarylessness employability mindset oriented towards psychological success are highlighted as key requirements in order to experience virtualness. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / MCOM (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Abstract This thesis is mainly discussed about the new work type in the information network society, that is telework (or telecommuting).. The author has accomplished interviews with different teleworks who work at different places and their managers.. The purpose of this research is to have a overall understanding and comparison of each teleworker¡¦s function and their daily operation, and discuss the related human resources management issues. There is no other thesis discussing about the management of each type of teleworker, the authour recorded the interviewees¡¦ background and their motivation of being teleworkers, also the reaction of their companies support; In the meantime, the authour interviewed with the managers who manage the teleworkers, understood and analyzed each successful and unsuccessful case, attemped to provide the managers for more practical suggestion. . The economy is recovering very slowly, many enterprises have paid a lot of effort to reduce their operation cost in order to survive in the recession situation. Telework is a flexible work type that can reduce both office expenses and labor cost. The author also attempts to provide some useful suggestions to the business owners, managers, human resources managers that have not had any experience of managing the teleworkers.

Globalisation, technological advancements and changing social needs result in virtual work arrangements becoming more prominent. Virtual work is conducted away from the traditional office setting and usually occurs in employees’ personal home environments. Virtual work has been called virtualling in this study, and virtual employees are referred to as virtuallers. A phenomenological orientation was adopted in studying completely virtual workers in a completely virtual context; sourcing of participants and data collection were also conducted completely virtually. This study presented new ways of conducting research in the modern, virtual world of work. An autoethnography was included, as the researcher is also a virtualler and insider of virtualling. Four key case studies are presented to provide a holistic picture of virtualling and virtuallers. Thematic results indicate key influencing factors that originate from virtualling, as well as factors and mindset requirements that pertain to the virtualler personally. It was further found and proposed that the resulting virtual environment changes virtuallers’ ways of doing things and viewing the world, hence results in changes in their lifestyle and career identity. The abstract psychological structure as it resulted from the thread of meanings was presented as virtualness. Authentic psychological identification with virtualling and adopting a boundarylessness employability mindset oriented towards psychological success are highlighted as key requirements in order to experience virtualness. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

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.

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

The general aim of this research was to investigate whether a relationship exists between the perceptions of job characteristics, job satisfaction (JS) and organisational commitment (OC) of e-tutors in a virtual work environment in an Open Distance Learning (ODL) university in South Africa. Considering the nature of the virtual work environment and the Job Characteristics Model (JCM), the design of e-tutors’ jobs does not encompass some of the core dimensions. This creates certain distinctive issues in terms of how e-tutors work, relate and communicate with their supervisors and co-workers. This has the potential to negatively affect their levels of JS and OC and increase their intention to leave the organisation. Accordingly, a quantitative survey was conducted on a sample of 279 (n = 279) e-tutors serving contracts at an ODL institution in South Africa. An exploratory factor analysis in the absence of good fit revealed a three-factor model for job characteristics, a two-factor model for JS, and a three-factor model for OC. Moreover, a correlational analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between perceptions of job characteristics, JS, and OC. A bivariate-partial correlation revealed that the relationship between job characteristics and JS is stronger than the relationship between job characteristics and OC. Following these correlations, a regression analysis was done to test the influencing nature of job characteristics on JS and OC. Accordingly, the results revealed that 26% of the effect of JS on OC is mediated by job characteristics. Tests for statistically significant mean differences revealed no significant difference between male and female e-tutors, nor differences in terms of their job tenure. However, in terms of educational background, significant mean differences were found between e-tutors holding undergraduate degrees and those holding postgraduate degrees. In order to determine which colleges differ significantly, multiple comparison tests were done, but the results revealed no significant individual differences. These results are applicable to similar populations and may help to improve the work experiences of other virtual workers. In addition, it is envisioned that they may help to improve human resource management practices in virtual work environments. / Human Resource Management / M. Com. (Human Resource Management)

La pandémie de la COVID-19, dont les effets se font ressentir à partir de la fin de l’année 2019, domine toutes les dimensions de la vie dans le monde entier. La communauté internationale à travers l’OMS incite les pays à se confiner, compte tenu du nombre de cas et de morts en augmentation. Malgré la découverte des vaccins, l’isolement et le confinement se poursuivent. La COVID-19 a également d’importantes conséquences sur la vie professionnelle. Pour nombre de groupes professionnels, la crise sanitaire se traduit par une adaptation à cette nouvelle forme de travail. Le confinement entraîne la mise en place de modes de travail inhabituels comme le télétravail auquel la plupart des cadres professionnels n’était pas préparée. La structure hybride du télétravail risque de réduire les frontières entre la vie professionnelle et la vie privée et de menacer le droit à la vie privée. Il est incontestable que la COVID-19 a aussi des impacts profonds sur les manières de travailler des professionnels d’information. Notre étude vise à obtenir une meilleure compréhension des effets du télétravail en confinement sur les services et les bibliothécaires de référence des bibliothèques universitaires dans la période pandémique en Turquie. Dans cette étude quantitative, la méthode privilégiée était l’enquête par questionnaire en ligne. Selon les données que nous avons collectées par l’intermédiaire d’un questionnaire en ligne, nous avons constaté que le télétravail en confinement estompait les frontières entre la sphère professionnelle et la sphère privée des bibliothécaires de référence surtout avec enfant(s) ou en couple. Cette étude nous a également permis de déterminer les types de services de référence et les ressources, surtout numériques, pour offrir ce service. Elle nous a aidé aussi à évaluer les effets des facteurs comme le genre et l’infrastructure technologique, et à voir à quel niveau le domicile convenait pour ce type de travail. Selon nous, les résultats de cette recherche pourraient être révélateurs pour déterminer la feuille de route dans ce processus. Aussi, notre étude contribuera à combler les manques dans ce domaine et à identifier des pistes de réflexion pour les recherches futures. / The COVID-19 pandemic whose effects have been felt from the end of 2019, has dominated all aspects of public life across the globe. International community through the WHO incite countries to lock down because of the increasing number of cases and deaths. Despite the discovery of vaccines, isolation and lockdown continue. The global spread of the coronavirus has significant consequences on professional life. For many professionals, this health crisis resulted in adaptation to a new form of working. The lockdown introduced new and unusual ways of working like telecommuting for whom most of the professionals were not prepared. Hybrid structure of telecommuting could reduce boundaries between professional and personal life and threaten right to privacy. There is compelling evidence that COVID-19 has also deep impacts on the way that information professionals work. Our study aimed at understanding the effects of telecommuting on private sphere, and changes in reference services offered by university librarians during pandemic in Turkey. Our studies show the consequences of social distancing on reference services, which normally necessitate a proximity between librarian and user, and how telecommuting during the lockdown blur boundaries between professional and private sphere. In the “new normal”, private sphere is a hybrid space which includes both spheres. The method that we have adopted was online questionnaire survey to obtain a portrait of the impacts of telecommuting during the lockdown on references services and on reference librarians who are working at university libraries in Turkey. In our opinion, our study would fill the lack in this field and contribute to adopt measures especially for the future. Using data provided by an Internet-based survey questionnaire, our study aimed also aimed at grasping new definitions of work introduced by the “new normal” and at observing the effects of new professional perspectives on information sciences and especially on reference librarians in Turkey. Also, this study helped us to understand changes in factors like gender, social divide, and private life in this unprecedented period. In our opinion, the results of this study could be revealing to determine the roadmap in this process.