Abstract
The objective of this paper is to provide understanding in developing high performance distributed work arrangements (DWA), and suggestions for an evaluation framework for measuring productivity changes in these distributed work arrangements. Globalization and development of information and communication technology (ICT) enables many organizations be more geographically distributed with work conducted in multiple locations. Distributed work and virtual organizations are at the center of much attention not only from the business world, but also from academia. In recent years, many different distributed work settings have been created to improve productivity while reducing costs.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Hoteling (Generic Office): A type of workplace sharing in which workers make reservations for workspaces in an office in advance of their use.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): Advanced telecommunications technologies used for the rapid transmission of voice, data, and digital information.
Virtual Officing: A type of alternative workplace that provide workers freedom to office anywhere through advanced ICT.
Distributed Work Arrangements (DWA): A decentralized organizational structure where the core organization distributes a portion of its functions to a remote site(s). DWA also includes various types of alternative working rather than traditional working at assigned workstations in the primary office.
Home Officing: A type of alternative workplace located in the home of a worker.
Distributed Work: A type of work performed by a group of workers while some or all of them are working at distributed (different) workplaces.
Facility Management (FM): A business practice that optimizes people, processes, assets, and the work environment to support delivery of the organization’s business goals and objectives.
Satellite Officing: A type of workplace located near worker homes, equipped with ICT and administrative support.