Exploring the Possibility of Implementing Telecommuting at University Utara Malaysia (UUM)

Global technology has quickly progressed to provide more accessible business modes of communication. The image of the traditional workplace as a particular place to go to work is being replaced with employees working wherever they can be most efficient and productive, whether at home, on a plane, on the road, or a telework center. The availability of affordable technology has been one of the major contributors to the "any time, any place" telecommuting trend. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of the implementation of teleworking at University Utara Malaysia (UUM), the suitable job selection criteria, the suitable technology needed to support this new mode of business, employee perception and willingness to telecommute, and top management support. To investigate the possibility of a lecturer's job as a telecommuter, we have adopted Jack Nilles Job Task Analysis. For the technology factor, data is collected through literature review. Structured interviews are conducted with top management to determine their willingness to implement this program. And, finally, questionnaires are used to identify the UUM lecturers' willingness to telecommute. This study found that, if the technology factor is available, people are willing to telecommute, a lecturer's job is suitable for telecommuting, and Management is agreeable. Therefore, it is concluded that at UUM, people can enjoy telecommuting benefits of telecommuting, if there is an established policy and regulations that allow them to telecommute.