Telecommuting: problems associated with communications technologies and their capabilities

Recent advances in information and communications technologies have permitted new flexibility in work arrangements. The number of people who either work from their home or take work home from their job is increasing. This evolution has led to a different set of needs at the person's residence than is traditionally required by the residential market. This paper presents an empirical study, based on 375 responses, to clarify: (1) the small business and residential market communications needs and problems; (2) the new communications technologies potential to fill those modern needs; and (3) the impact of the communications needs and problems on the telecommuters effectiveness. The implication of the findings from this study for the technologies providers, managers, university community, and researchers are discussed in detail.