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Is telework effective for organizations?

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  • Brittany Harker Martin
  • Rhiannon MacDonnell

Abstract

Purpose - Telework is an alternative work relationship with demonstrated positive benefits for individuals and society, yet it has not been implemented with enthusiasm by most organizations. This could be due to the lacking, consolidated evidence for management regarding whether or not telework is a good thing for the firm. The purpose of this paper is to integrate multidisciplinary literature that reports effects of telework on organizational outcomes with the aim of providing a clearer answer to the question: is telework effective for organizations? Design/methodology/approach - Meta‐analytical methods were used, beginning with an interdisciplinary search for effect sizes in eight databases. Limited to scholarly journals and dissertations, results included 991 articles scanned for inclusion criteria. The independent variable is telework, measured as a dichotomous variable. Dependent variables are outcomes of interest to organizations: productivity, retention, turnover intention, commitment, and performance. In total, 22 studies were double coded and meta‐analyzed using Hunter and Schmidt's approach, followed by five exploratory moderator analyses: level of analysis, level of the employee, response rate, proportion of females, and country of the study. Significant results are discussed. Findings - Review and meta analysis of 32 correlations from empirical studies find that there is a small but positive relationship between telework and organizational outcomes. Telework is perceived to increase productivity, secure retention, strengthen organizational commitment, and to improve performance within the organization. In other words, it is indeed beneficial for organizations. All five hypotheses are supported.H1 (productivity), rc=0.23 (k=5,n=620), (95% CI=0.13−0.33).H2 (retention),r=0.10 (k=6,n=1652), (95% CI=0.04−0.16).H3 (commitment),r=0.11 (k=8,n=3144), (95% CI=0.03−0.18); moderator analysis shows sample age is significant (F(1,4)=4.715,p

Suggested Citation

  • Brittany Harker Martin & Rhiannon MacDonnell, 2012. "Is telework effective for organizations?," Management Research Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 35(7), pages 602-616, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:mrrpps:v:35:y:2012:i:7:p:602-616
    DOI: 10.1108/01409171211238820
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lashitew, Addisu A., 2023. "When businesses go digital: The role of CEO attributes in technology adoption and utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    2. Banita Lal & Yogesh K. Dwivedi & Markus Haag, 2023. "Working from Home During Covid-19: Doing and Managing Technology-enabled Social Interaction With Colleagues at a Distance," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 1333-1350, August.
    3. Kyra Voll & Felix Gauger & Andreas Pfnür, 2022. "CREM perspective on home office—a consideration of the workplace and its mechanisms of action [CREM Perspektive auf Heimarbeit – eine Betrachtung ausgewählter Wirkungsmechanismen des Arbeitsorts]," Zeitschrift für Immobilienökonomie (German Journal of Real Estate Research), Springer;Gesellschaft für Immobilienwirtschaftliche Forschung e. V., vol. 8(2), pages 139-171, October.
    4. Pham Quang Huy & Vu Kien Phuc, 2023. "Big data in relation with business intelligence capabilities and e-commerce during COVID-19 pandemic in accountant’s perspective," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-21, December.
    5. Andreja Mihailović & Julija Cerović Smolović & Ivan Radević & Neli Rašović & Nikola Martinović, 2021. "COVID-19 and Beyond: Employee Perceptions of the Efficiency of Teleworking and Its Cybersecurity Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-26, June.
    6. Radian Nugraha & Christian Wiradendi Wolor & Corry Yohana, 2022. "The Effect of Work from Home, Work-Life Balance, and Job Satisfaction on Employee Performance," Oblik i finansi, Institute of Accounting and Finance, issue 1, pages 103-112, March.
    7. Marta Fana & Santo Milasi & Joanna Napierala & Enrique Fernandez-Macias & Ignacio Gonzalez Vazquez, 2020. "Telework, work organisation and job quality during the COVID-19 crisis: a qualitative study," JRC Working Papers on Labour, Education and Technology 2020-11, Joint Research Centre.
    8. Battisti, Enrico & Alfiero, Simona & Leonidou, Erasmia, 2022. "Remote working and digital transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Economic–financial impacts and psychological drivers for employees," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 38-50.
    9. Sahut, Jean Michel & Lissillour, Raphael, 2023. "The adoption of remote work platforms after the Covid-19 lockdown: New approach, new evidence," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    10. Vrchota Jaroslav & Frantíková Zuzana & Vlčková Miroslava, 2019. "Why Some SME’s in the Czech Republic Adopt Telework and Others Not?," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 11(4), pages 599-615, December.
    11. Dodi Wirawan Irawanto & Khusnul Rofida Novianti & Kenny Roz, 2021. "Work from Home: Measuring Satisfaction between Work–Life Balance and Work Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia," Economies, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-13, June.
    12. Loredana Mihalca & Tudor Irimias & Gabriela Brendea, 2021. "Teleworking During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Determining Factors of Perceived Work Productivity, Job Performance, and Satisfaction," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 23(58), pages 620-620, August.
    13. Linda Colley & Sue Williamson & Meraiah Foley, 2021. "Understanding, ownership, or resistance: Explaining persistent gender inequality in public services," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 284-300, January.
    14. Rüttgers, Christian & Hochgürtel, Katharina, 2017. "New Work(ing Time): Was bedeutet die Digitalisierung der Arbeit für das Personalmanagement? Eine empirische Analyse der Einstellungen von Beschäftigten," ipo Schriftenreihe, FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management, ipo Institut für Personal- & Organisationsforschung, volume 1, number 1 edited by FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management, IPO Institut für Personal- & Organisationsforschung.
    15. Maëlle Périssé & Anne-Marie Vonthron & Émilie Vayre, 2021. "Nomadic, Informal and Mediatised Work Practices: Role of Professional Social Approval and Effects on Quality of Life at Work," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-19, November.
    16. Kim Hoque & Nick Bacon, 2022. "Working from home and disabled people's employment outcomes," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 60(1), pages 32-56, March.
    17. Bachtal, Yassien, 2021. "Work organization and work psychology theories in the context of Work from Home – A literature-based overview," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 128563, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    18. Miroslava Vlčková & Zuzana Frantíková & Jaroslav Vrchota, 2019. "Relationship between the Financial Indicators and the Implementation of Telework," DANUBE: Law and Economics Review, European Association Comenius - EACO, issue 1, pages 45-66, March.
    19. Hirte, Georg & Laes, Renée, 2022. "Working from self-driving cars," CEPIE Working Papers 01/22, Technische Universität Dresden, Center of Public and International Economics (CEPIE).
    20. Lena MALESEVIC PEROVIC, 2021. "Macroeconomic Effects Of Teleworking In Eu27: Stochastic Frontier Approach," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(2), pages 33-42, June.
    21. Georgiana-Camelia Georgescu (Cretan) & Rodica Gherghina & Ioana Duca & Mirela Anca Postole & Carmen Maria Constantinescu, 2021. "Determinants of Employees’ Option for Preserving Teleworking After the COVID-19 Pandemic," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 23(58), pages 669-669, August.
    22. Aarthi Raghavan & Mehmet Akif Demircioglu & Serik Orazgaliyev, 2021. "COVID-19 and the New Normal of Organizations and Employees: An Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-19, October.

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