Routledge Teleworking in the Countryside: Home-Based Working in the Information Society (Routledge Revivals)

Product Description This title was first published in 2000. Since the 1970s there has been widespread debate on the potential of information communication technologies on the organization of work and in particular, the implications of and opportunities engendered through telework and the decentralization of the workplace. However, despite the possible spatial, cultural, social and economic implications, much of the telework debate has been informed by anecdotal examples, journalistic reporting and individual forecasts. This book aims to further the debate by analyzing the scale, nature and experience of telework in the countryside. It examines how and by whom, telework is set up, and what policy and social changes are taking place to facilitate it in rural areas. Individual teleworkers and the organizations using them are questioned to assess whether rural teleworking is proving as advantageous in practice as it is thought to be in theory. Its conclusions suggest that teleworking may not yet be the solution to the many rural problems such as unemployment and depopulation and that businesses and local authorities still need to develop their policies and strategies to allow this type of working to reach its potential. Review ’This is an interesting book...a must for anyone with views on telework and rural development.’ Teleworker ’...this is a worthwhile book that should appeal to a wide audience. For the most part it is clearly written, and the extensive use of extracts from interviews with teleworkers makes it a valuable addition to what is otherwise a top-heavy body of literature.’ European Review of Agricultural Economics ’Reading the book is quite enjoyable. It is very well structured and very well written, in an accessible language, with a minimum of unnecessary jargon, which in itself deserves a compliment...the results of his research are worth reading and taking note of.’ Journal of Housing and the Built Environment