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A Three-Stage Process for Sustainable Telework Adoption

Author

Listed:
  • Mario Aguilar-Fernández

    (Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería y Ciencias Sociales y Administrativas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 08400, Mexico)

  • Graciela Salgado-Escobar

    (Estudios Profesionales Genéricos, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería y Ciencias Sociales y Administrativas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 08400, Mexico)

  • Luvis P. León-Romero

    (Postgraduate in Systems Engineering, Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 07738, Mexico)

  • Brenda García-Jarquín

    (Departamento de Posgrado, Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68030, Mexico)

  • Misaela Francisco-Márquez

    (Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería y Ciencias Sociales y Administrativas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 08400, Mexico)

Abstract

In recent years, telework (TW) has been seen as a feasible and flexible alternative to deal with global and market risks; however, companies’ lack of vision and planning to implement it has generated the reality that TW, far from bringing advantages, generates personal and social labour conflicts. The objective of this research is to design a TW adoption sustainable process (TW-ASP) that guides the development of organizational strategies to maximize benefits and mitigate challenges for companies, employees, and society. This qualitative study comprises three phases: a review of previous research in Web of Science, identification and inter-relation of relevant variables, and TW-ASP design using Cooper’s stage-gate methodology. The process includes three stages, and each one has a gate: TW thinking, TW decision, and TW adoption. Each stage and gate is structured according to linkages between technological, organizational, labour, and social variables. TW-ASP positions TW as a sustainable initiative requiring a holistic and systemic approach. This study offers a proposal that can serve as a reference for designing organizational strategies aimed at sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Aguilar-Fernández & Graciela Salgado-Escobar & Luvis P. León-Romero & Brenda García-Jarquín & Misaela Francisco-Márquez, 2025. "A Three-Stage Process for Sustainable Telework Adoption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9356-:d:1776524
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    References listed on IDEAS

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