Telecommuting and Telework

Abstract Academic and commercial researchers, freelance writers, and business telework over the final three decades of the 20th century. Despite the extensive research and publicity, telecommuting has not attained anywhere near the usage levels that some experts forecasted for the start of the new millennium. Although much of the published material includes extravagant claims about productivity gains from telecommuting, most of these claims are based on subjective data collected from telecommuters. This data typically of results. This chapter defines the various forms of telecommuting and telework and covers the history of the concept. In addition, it analyzes the claims about productivity gains and societal benefits resulting from telecommuting. Based on a realistic view of these considerations, the author projects moderate increases in telecommuting usage, facilitated by increasing use of low‐cost, high‐bandwidth Internet technologies.