Telecommuting and the Mobile Worker Essay

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Modern technological innovations are transforming a wide range of human activities. Telecommuting (also called e-commuting) is a new model whereby an employee can complete tasks and assignments outside his or her office. This arrangement is currently being embraced by many corporations across the globe. This paper examines the major issues associated with this work arrangement.

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Impacts of Telecommuting

The idea of telecommuting has been observed to have numerous impacts on specific areas. The first one is that of energy conservation. This means that the amount of fuel consumed to travel to the office reduces significantly (Allen, Golden, & Shockley, 2015). Electricity expenses incurred by organizations also decrease. Secondly, telecommuting minimizes information technology (IT) costs. Companies will not have to acquire more computers to support their workers.

The third area to take seriously is that of green computing. Telecommuting supports this idea since users minimize energy consumption. Environmental dissipates from computers are minimized. This model results in sustainable computing and promotes the integrity of the natural environment. Finally, telecommuters will experience new shifts in lifestyles. For instance, parents and guardians can babysit and engage in various domestic chores without affecting their productivities (Wojcak, Bajzikova, Sajgalikova, & Polakova, 2016). Disabled persons can work comfortably from home and earn a living. Companies will not have to provide natural support.

Designing Business Infrastructure

Telecommuting is founded on the effectiveness of existing computer systems and infrastructures. Employees who have these resources will be in a position to perform various functions efficiently and deliver positive results. However, hurricanes, earthquakes, and storms can make it impossible for them to access different buildings. Corporations should, therefore, put in place superior IT systems that can support telecommuting (Tavares, 2017). This means that employees will be able to complete their duties and assignments even when there is a disaster. However, this model is appropriate for companies that deal with IT-related services.

Backup systems, social media networks, and advanced Internet connections will be needed to meet the needs of companies and their workers. Tavares (2017) goes further to encourage organizations to recruit competent employees from different geographical regions and support them using adequate telecommuting resources. This approach will result in flexibility and deliver desirable goals.

Advantages and Disadvantages: IT Manager’s Point of View

Information technology (IT) managers use their competencies to analyze and monitor the effectiveness of businesses’ electronic and computer systems (van Lier, de Witte, & Macharis, 2014). They also track problems that might disorient performance. According to such professionals, there are specific benefits of telecommuting that should be taken seriously (Tavares, 2017). These include increased productivity, reduced turnover, minimized interruptions, and economic gains.

With telecommuting, employees can be guided to complete their tasks efficiently. Many IT managers will also record increased outcomes. The second one is that of reduced turnover. IT specialists always expect their systems to support outlined organizational aims. Employees must also be empowered and guided to deliver positive results. IT managers will appreciate when the level of turnover reduces. When telecommuting in place, these specialists will not have to develop complex systems. This means that the model reduces most of the interruptions experienced in different companies (Tavares, 2017). Telecommuting also forces firms to purchase and implement the advanced infrastructure. Many businesses will find the approach economically sound since it maximizes savings.

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Several drawbacks can affect the effectiveness of IT managers such as security concerns, reduced monitoring levels, complex systems, and productivity issues. Telecommuting can expose a company’s IT infrastructure to cybercriminals and phishers. IT managers must, therefore, be prepared for this disadvantage. The model results in a situation whereby specialists do not have to monitor more systems (van Lier et al., 2014). Some internal computer connections might become dormant due to telecommuting. This concept also forces companies to purchase new equipment and install complex systems (Allen et al., 2015). This means that they have to incur expenses. Finally, IT managers expect productivity to increase when adequate systems are put in place. These managers can be blamers for the unproductiveness of certain telecommuters.

Effect of BYOD

The “Bring Your Own Device” concept is common whenever implementing the telecommuting model. When employees use their computers and devices, it means that such devices have become part of the company’s IT infrastructure. This approach can affect the security of the system (Wojcak et al., 2016). The move increases the risks for cybercrime and phishing. The introduction of new personal devices will require an IT manager to offer advanced support. More professionals might be hired to offer maintenance services.

In terms of knowledge, employees can find this approach meaningful. They can share and access documents from their colleagues’ devices. Data management must be taken to the next level after more computers become part of the infrastructure. This strategy also promotes green computing since the introduced devices will reduce environmental dissipates and energy consumption (Wojcak et al., 2016). Finally, the BYOD approach can take telecommuting to the next level since more employees will embrace it.

Conclusion

Telecommuting is a concept that is taking many employees and companies by storm. It presents numerous benefits such as increased productivity, green computing, and flexibility. However, security issues and increased data management requirements emerge. Companies that intend to implement this model should, therefore, be prepared for these issues to succeed.

References

Allen, T. D., Golden, T. D., & Shockley, K. M. (2015). How effective is telecommuting? Assessing the status of our scientific findings. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 16(2), 40-68. Web.

Tavares, A. I. (2017). Telework and health effects review. International Journal of Healthcare, 3(2), 30-36. Web.

van Lier, T., de Witte, A., & Macharis, C. (2014). How worthwhile is teleworking from a sustainable mobility perspective? The case of Brussels Capital region. European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research, 14(3), 244-267.

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Wojcak, E., Bajzikova, L., Sajgalikova, H., & Polakova, M. (2016). How to achieve sustainable efficiency with teleworkers: Leadership model in telework. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 229, 33-41. Web.

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IvyPanda. 2021. "Telecommuting and the Mobile Worker." June 23, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/telecommuting-and-the-mobile-worker/.

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IvyPanda. "Telecommuting and the Mobile Worker." June 23, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/telecommuting-and-the-mobile-worker/.

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