Testing the simplified decision model of telework: a quasi-experimental study

ABSTRACT

Virtual organizations that serve customers via the Internet or online service networks have been growing at an incredible rate. These organizations do not require customers to come to the organization's physical location in order to do business. However, many more traditional organizations, even those that support virtual clientele, seem resistant to the use of virtual work arrangements. For organizations to become truly “virtual” they need to move to alternative work arrangements including to telework. This study explores the resistance to remote work in relation to the decision of employees to telework. Earlier studies by the authors [4-6] have shown that four factors significantly influence the intent of employees to engage in telework. These factors, which together make up the Simplified Decision Model (SDM) are Perceived Legitimacy, Perceived Behavioral Control, Work Social Structure and Commute Distance. This study attempted to confirm the SDM by surveying 407 subjects who were employed in a wide range of organizations in the greater New York City area. Four treatment groups were used to compare how each of the four factors affected Behavioral Intent to telework. Strong confirmation for the relationship described by SDM was found, but the manipulation of factors in the model proved unsuccessful. Methods to better manipulate precursors to Behavioral Intent are discussed.

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INDEX TERMS

Keywords:
decision model, simplified decision model, technology acceptance model, telework, virtual organization