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Measuring the Measurable: Why Can't We Agree on the Number of Telecommuters in the U.S.?

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Author Info
Patricia Mokhtarian (University of California, Davis)
Ilan Salomon (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
Sangho Choo (University of California, Davis)

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Abstract

Using telecommuting as a case study, we demonstrate that definitions, measurement instruments, sampling and sometimes vested interests affect the quality and utility even of seemingly objective and “measurable” data. Little consensus exists with respect to the definition of telecommuting, or to possible distinctions from related terms such as teleworking. Such a consensus is unlikely, since the “best” definition of telecommuting depends on one’s point of reference and purpose. However, differing definitions confound efforts to measure the amount of telecommuting and how it is changing over time. This paper evaluates estimates of the amounts of telecommuting occurring in the U. S. obtained from several different sources: the U. S. Census, the American Housing Survey, several Work at Home supplements to the Current Population Survey, a series of market research surveys, and the trade association-sponsored Telework America surveys. Many of the issues raised here are transferable to other contexts, and indirectly serve as suggestions for improving data collection in the future.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by EconWPA in its series Labor and Demography with number 0508011.

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Length: 26 pages
Date of creation: 19 Aug 2005
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Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpla:0508011

Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 26
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Web page: http://129.3.20.41

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J - Labor and Demographic Economics

References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:

  1. Skamris, Mette K. & Flyvbjerg, Bent, 1997. "Inaccuracy of traffic forecasts and cost estimates on large transport projects," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 4(3), pages 141-146, July. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. Sangho Choo & Patricia L. Mokhtarian & Ilan Salomon, 2005. "Does Telecommuting Reduce Vehicle-miles Traveled? An Aggregate Time Series Analysis for the U. S," Econometrics 0505001, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
  3. Susan Handy & Patricia Mokhtarian, 1996. "The Future of Telecommuting," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series UCD-ITS-REP-96-07, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis. [Downloadable!]
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Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Song, Moohoun & Orazem, Peter & Singh, Rajesh, 2006. "Broadband Access, Telecommuting and the Urban-Rural Digital Divide," Staff General Research Papers 12495, Iowa State University, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
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This page was last updated on 2009-11-6.

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