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Modeling the Choice of Telecommuting: 2. A Case of the Preferred Impossible Alternative

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  • P L Mokhtarian

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • I Salomon

    (Department of Geography, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91905, Israel)

Abstract

A conceptual model of the choice to telecommute was advanced in an earlier paper. In this paper we present empirical data from a nonrepresentative sample of 628 City of San Diego employees on key variables and relationships in that model. The relationships among possibility, preference, and choice are examined. A key finding is the existence of a large group of people (57% of the sample) for whom telecommuting is a preferred impossible alternative. Dichotomous and continuous constraints are distinguished, and three dichotomous constraints are defined. ‘Lack of awareness’ is active for 4%, ‘job unsuitability’ for 44%, and ‘manager disapproval’ for 51% of the sample. For 68% of the sample, at least one of these constraints is active. Even among those for whom none of the dichotomous constraints is in force, most people do not choose telecommuting because of the presence of active continuous constraints. For only 11% of the entire sample, telecommuting is possible, preferred, and chosen. The potential impacts of self-selection bias are estimated, and sampling bias is qualitatively assessed. This analysis provides a crude but useful estimate of the potential of telecommuting in the population, and more specifically, the relative share of potential telecommuters who are prevented by key dichotomous constraints from choosing that option.

Suggested Citation

  • P L Mokhtarian & I Salomon, 1996. "Modeling the Choice of Telecommuting: 2. A Case of the Preferred Impossible Alternative," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 28(10), pages 1859-1876, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:28:y:1996:i:10:p:1859-1876
    DOI: 10.1068/a281859
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    1. repec:cdl:itsdav:qt0pr1d308 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. repec:cdl:uctcwp:qt4zc486ph is not listed on IDEAS
    3. P L Mokhtarian & I Salomon, 1994. "Modeling the Choice of Telecommuting: Setting the Context," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 26(5), pages 749-766, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lee-Gosselin, Martin & Miranda-Moreno, Luis F., 2009. "What is different about urban activities of those with access to ICTs? Some early evidence from Québec, Canada," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 104-114.
    2. Mokhtarian, Patricia L. & Salomon, Ilan, 1997. "Modeling the desire to telecommute: The importance of attitudinal factors in behavioral models," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 35-50, January.
    3. Xinyi Wang & F. Atiyya Shaw & Patricia L. Mokhtarian & Giovanni Circella & Kari E. Watkins, 2023. "Combining disparate surveys across time to study satisfaction with life: the effects of study context, sampling method, and transport attributes," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 513-543, April.
    4. Mokhtarian, Patricia L. & Raney, Elizabeth A. & Salomon, Ilan, 1997. "Behavioral response to congestion: identifying patterns and socio-economic differences in adoption," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 4(3), pages 147-160, July.
    5. repec:cdl:itsdav:qt9rg8w9c4 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. repec:cdl:itsrrp:qt1f01c191 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Haddad, Hebba & Lyons, Glenn & Chatterjee, Kiron, 2009. "An examination of determinants influencing the desire for and frequency of part-day and whole-day homeworking," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 124-133.
    8. repec:cdl:uctcwp:qt2v5869bd is not listed on IDEAS
    9. repec:cdl:itsdav:qt61t9j2vb is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Jain, Taru & Currie, Graham & Aston, Laura, 2022. "COVID and working from home: Long-term impacts and psycho-social determinants," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 52-68.
    11. repec:cdl:itsdav:qt2x75525j is not listed on IDEAS
    12. repec:cdl:uctcwp:qt29z267km is not listed on IDEAS
    13. P L Mokhtarian & I Salomon, 1996. "Modeling the Choice of Telecommuting: 3. Identifying the Choice Set and Estimating Binary Choice Models for Technology-Based Alternatives," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 28(10), pages 1877-1894, October.
    14. Rognes, Jon, 2002. "Telecommuting resistance, soft but strong: Development of telecommuting over time, and related rhetoric, in three organisations," SSE/EFI Working Paper Series in Business Administration 2002:1, Stockholm School of Economics.
    15. Mokhtarian, Patricia L. & Bagley, Michael N., 2000. "Modeling employees' perceptions and proportional preferences of work locations: the regular workplace and telecommuting alternatives," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 223-242, May.
    16. Nayak, Suchismita & Pandit, Debapratim, 2021. "Potential of telecommuting for different employees in the Indian context beyond COVID-19 lockdown," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 98-110.
    17. José M. Ortiz-Lozano & Pedro C. Martínez-Morán & Víctor L. de Nicolás, 2022. "Teleworking in the Public Administration: An Analysis Based on Spanish Civil Servants’ Perspectives During the Pandemic," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440221, March.
    18. repec:cdl:itsdav:qt2gj976x6 is not listed on IDEAS
    19. Walls, Margaret & Safirova, Elena, 2004. "A Review of the Literature on Telecommuting and Its Implications for Vehicle Travel and Emissions," RFF Working Paper Series dp-04-44, Resources for the Future.
    20. repec:cdl:itsdav:qt13x2q3rb is not listed on IDEAS
    21. Hynes, Mike, 2016. "Developing (tele)work? A multi-level sociotechnical perspective of telework in Ireland," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 21-31.
    22. repec:cdl:uctcwp:qt2v63b7b8 is not listed on IDEAS
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