Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 1996. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 200-215). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2003. / Includes bibliography.

Innovations in computer technologies have provided the ability to access information from all over the world by the stroke of a finger. These technologies have given birth to the growing practice of telecommuting. There is much research available on telecommuting. However, there is a lack of research on this phenomenon in the public relations sector. This study seeks to fill this void by investigating the telecommuting behaviors of public relations professionals and providing a foundation from which further studies can be built. Survey questionnaires were completed by 122 Public Relations Society of America members. The questionnaires contained measures regarding perceived relative advantages of telecommuting, demographic variables, and telecommuting behavior. There were many important findings from the study. Interestingly, telecommuting is in the late majority phase of the diffusion process. It is also gender related. Surprisingly, this study found more men are likely to telecommute than women. Certain variables were found to be associated with telecommuting. Specifically, selfemployed individuals and those with more years in PR were more likely to telecommute. Most of the PR professionals who reported telecommuting did so in an unstructured manner. The main reason reported for telecommuting was to complete their unfinished work from the office. The majority of PR professionals did view telecommuting as valuable. However, here were differences in the perceptions of relative advantages with full- or part-time telecommuting. The advantages of full-time telecommuting only appeared to be attractive to those individuals who presently telecommute. Over two-thirds of the respondents who did not telecommute were found to be interested in telecommuting on a part-time basis. And most PR professionals, whether telecommuter or not, believed telecommuting will become a standard practice in the future.

Abstract The communication and information technology, particularly the Internet, has dramatically changed the way we have done business before. Therefore. Some different work arrangements have emerged in the technology-based business, such as telecommuting, mobile office, hoteling, satellite office, etc. The number of telecommuters in the US today is up to 25 million. In Taiwan, China Productivity Center (CPC), Taiwan Xerox, Taiwan IBM, and Taiwan HP have implemented the mobile office system for several years. Arthur Andersen and Sun also built their flexible office last year. As the literatures indicated that telecommuting did increase organizational flexibility, job efficiency, employee satisfaction, productivity, customer satisfaction, while reduce commuting time and transportation costs, office spaces. However, the teleworkers felt more isolated as a result of working in a remote environment. Their interpersonal relationship and communication with supervisor or co-worker all got worse. Besides, managers also worried about telecommuting will reduce their authority and control power. The main purpose of this study is to understand how Internet affect the individual worker¡¦s work style, especially what are the key factors being considered in telecommuting. Finally, the proposed telecommuting model would be empirically examined in the selected information technology-based organizations.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-183).

Multiple roles of worker and caregiver are a current reality for American men and women. In response to the need to employ more women and reduce work/family conflict, many companies have adopted work/family initiatives such as flextime and telecommuting. Despite the benefits associated with the use of work/family programs, many companies are hesitant to encourage employees’ use of such initiatives. This study focused on private sector managers’ views of work/family programs and addressed how much they encourage the use of and provide information to employees about flextime and telecommuting. Using a snowball sampling method, 63 managers from private sector companies offering flextime and/or telecommuting participated in an on-line study. These participants answered questionnaires and gave open-ended responses regarding attitudes toward women, men, work, and family, and employees’ usage of work/family programs. The results of the quantitative portion of this study showed a significant correlation between managers’ and employees’ use of flextime or telecommuting policies. Women under the age of 50 (younger) were less likely than their over 50 (older) female, over 50 (older) male, and under 50 (younger) male counterparts to have employees who use flextime or telecommuting programs. Results also showed that women over 50 were more likely to have employees who use flextime or telecommute when compared with men both over and under 50 and women under 50. Measures utilized in these findings were single-item scales developed by the author. Findings from the qualitative portion of this study showed that much of how managers view work/family programs depends on how responsible they believe their employees to be. Further research is necessary to operationalize managers’ view of responsible employees and to understand if this is code for workers who put the job before all else. This study examined private sector managers with a sample comprised of primarily young (Median age for men and women of 37 years), White Americans working as managers in the private sector and therefore caution should be taken when generalizing findings. It is hoped that these findings may be an entry point for interventions aimed at increasing the use and encouragement of work/family policies. / text

The goal of this thesis is to determine the correlation between the practice of working at home and the theoretical needs of sustainable living. The author presents a brief synopsis of the present theories of sustainability which he then uses as an evaluative backdrop for the study. Urban transport, architectural design and quality of life issues are addressed. The author conducted an extensive literature review, several case studies and a survey. Conclusions drawn from these studies were used to attempt to envision sustainable home working communities. / It was found that sustainability was directly related to whether the home worker telecommutes or operates a home-based business. Home-based business owners continue to be heavily reliant on automobile transportation, while telecommuters make fewer overall trips and travel shorter distances than conventional commuters. Although neither work type demands significant changes to the infrastructure of the typical residence, home-based businesses require more space and more attention to design. Telecommuting has potential adverse side effects of personal isolation and physical strain. To ensure the sustainability of working at home, the practice must be adopted as an integral part of a larger transformation on the scale of the local community.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio State University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 184-196).

Thesis (M.Ap.C.T. & M.)--Cleveland State University, 2008. / Abstract. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 8, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-82). Available online via the OhioLINK ETD Center. Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-128).