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Working from Home and Commuting: Heterogeneity over Time, Space, and Occupations

Author

Listed:
  • de Vos, Duco

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • van Ham, Maarten

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • Meijers, Evert J.

    (Delft University of Technology)

Abstract

Teleworking may increase the willingness to accept a longer commute. This paper presents new evidence of the effect of teleworking on the length of commutes. We use novel panel data from the Netherlands, for the years 2008-2018, and find stronger effects compared to studies that use older data. Between 2008 and 2018 however, the effect was remarkably stable: workers that started teleworking increased their commutes by 12 percent on average. We analyse heterogeneity in the effect of teleworking on commuting across different levels of urbanization and across occupations. This study stresses the effects of teleworking on the geographical scale of labour markets, and provides important inputs for policymakers that aim to promote teleworking.

Suggested Citation

  • de Vos, Duco & van Ham, Maarten & Meijers, Evert J., 2019. "Working from Home and Commuting: Heterogeneity over Time, Space, and Occupations," IZA Discussion Papers 12578, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12578
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Duco Vos & Evert Meijers & Maarten Ham, 2018. "Working from home and the willingness to accept a longer commute," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 61(2), pages 375-398, September.
    2. Muhammad, Saim & de Jong, Tom & Ottens, Henk F.L., 2008. "Job accessibility under the influence of information and communication technologies, in the Netherlands," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 203-216.
    3. Sergejs Gubins & Jos Ommeren & Thomas Graaff, 2019. "Does new information technology change commuting behavior?," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 62(1), pages 187-210, February.
    4. Graaff, Thomas de, 2004. "On the substitution and complimentarity between telework and travel : a review and application," Serie Research Memoranda 0016, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    5. Rhee, Hyok-Joo, 2008. "Home-based telecommuting and commuting behavior," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(1), pages 198-216, January.
    6. Melo, Patrícia C. & de Abreu e Silva, João, 2017. "Home telework and household commuting patterns in Great Britain," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 1-24.
    7. Pengyu Zhu, 2012. "Are telecommuting and personal travel complements or substitutes?," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 48(2), pages 619-639, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pabilonia, Sabrina Wulff & Vernon, Victoria, 2020. "Telework and Time Use in the United States," GLO Discussion Paper Series 546, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    2. Andrew Hook & Victor Court & Benjamin K Sovacool & Steven Sorrell, 2020. "A Systematic Review of the Energy and Climate Impacts of Teleworking," Working Papers hal-03192905, HAL.
    3. Castelli, Chiara & Parenti, Angela, "undated". "Commuting in Europe: An Inter-regional Analysis on its Determinants and Spatial Effects," 2030 Agenda 307985, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    4. Robbennolt, Dale & Haddad, Angela J. & Mondal, Aupal & Bhat, Chandra R., 2024. "Housing choice in an evolving remote work landscape," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    5. Sabrina Wulff Pabilonia & Victoria Vernon, 2022. "Telework, Wages, and Time Use in the United States," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 687-734, September.
    6. Caldarola, Bernardo & Sorrell, Steve, 2022. "Do teleworkers travel less? Evidence from the English National Travel Survey," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 282-303.

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    JEL classification:

    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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