Teleworking and the internet : exploring the sociological impacts of information technologies on communication, work, individuation and social solidarity
Date
1997
Authors
Buren, Robert Christopher
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Abstract
It is estimated that by the year 2001, there will be over one million teleworkers in Canada and over 30 million teleworkers in the United States (Irmo Visions Canada, 1997: 2-3). These statistics, combined with the fact that little is known about the impacts of relocating workers from the raditional workplace to the home, were the major issues prompting this research. This thesis examines the social impacts of information technology on North American teleworkers by addressing two main questions: 1) How do teleworkers experience and value computer-mediated communication? And 2) How does telework impact upon the processes of individuation and social solidarity? The concepts of individuation and social solidarity developed by Emile Durkheim help to contextualize this research theoretically. From July to October 1997, an on-line questionnaire designed to collect data via the Internet was electronically posted. To locate a teleworker sample, a combination of over 400 e-mails and on-line requests were sent to organizations, corporations and individuals thought to be associated with teleworking. In total, 18 eleworkers voluntarily completed the questionnaire. The findings suggest that computer-mediated communication facilitates the efficient and productive accomplishment of work: 89% percent reported having greater control over how they conduct their work; 56% reported both fewer interruptions and increased productivity; and 61 % indicated working more hours per week. However, even though 83% reported spending more time with their families, 72% indicated that decreased interaction and face-to-face contact with co-workers is a disadvantage of teleworking. Furthermore, although the majority of respondents reported decreases in both face-to-face contact (78%) and socializing (61 %) with their colleagues, most also stated that they enjoyed teleworking more than working in a traditional office (83%) and would like to telework for their entire career (67%). This thesis also examines the advantages and disadvantages of collecting data on-line and provides suggestions for conducting future research involving information technologies and telework.