Modeling the desire to telecommute: The importance of attitudinal factors in behavioral models

Mokhtarian, Saloman, 1997, in Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

doi:10.1016/S0965-8564(96)00010-9
Location San Diego
Population General
Sample size 628
Factor analysis type exploratory factor analysis, Oblique rotation
Stepwise regression yes
Removal of insignificant variables yes
Reviewed by LCM

Abstract

This paper begins to operationalize a previously published conceptual model of the individual decision to telecommute. Using survey data from 628 employees of the City of San Diego, hypothesized drives to telecommute and constraints on/facilitators of telecommuting are measured. A binary logit model of the preference to telecommute from home is estimated, having a ϱ2 of 0.68. The explanatory variables include attitudinal and ...

Factors

Variable Pattern loading
Use commute time productively (Convenience) 0.75
Commute trip is useful transition between home and work (Lifestyle) 0.75
Commute trip allows me to do errands on way to or from work (Convenience) 0.45
Working at home may increase family conflicts (Convenience) 0.28
Variable Pattern loading
Be able to work while permanently disabled (Convenience) 0.98
Be able to work while temporarily disabled (Convenience) 0.85
Be able to work while on parental leave (Convenience) 0.45
Variable Pattern loading
Make it easier to handle dependent (child or adult) care (Convenience) 0.73
Spend more time with my family (Convenience) 0.72
Be able to work while on parental leave (Convenience) 0.37
Variable Pattern loading
Harder to get motivated to work away from main office (Lifestyle) 0.78
Too much trouble to remember what to take back and forth between locations (Convenience) 0.58
Main office is nicer/better equipped (Comfort) 0.34
Variable Pattern loading
Easy to pursue education or personal interests (Convenience) 0.7
Have more independence (Mode-liking) 0.62
Have more control over physical working environment (Convenience) 0.57
Increase flexibility (Convenience) 0.53
Have more time for myself (Convenience) 0.4
Save money (Cost) 0.29
Reduce stress experienced in main office (Comfort) 0.27
Variable Pattern loading
Keep working at job after relocating residence (Convenience) 0.95
Keep working at this job after workplace moved to another location (Convenience) 0.86
Variable Pattern loading
Reduce stress of commuting (Comfort) 0.66
Get more work done (Convenience) 0.59
Reduce stress experienced at main office (Comfort) 0.38
Help the environment by driving less (Environmentalism) 0.33
Have more control over physical working environment (Convenience) 0.29
Variable Pattern loading
Concerned about opportunities for visibility and career advancement (Other) 0.75
Risk of being viewed negatively by management (Other) 0.65
Variable Pattern loading
Prefer the professional interaction found at conventional workplace (Lifestyle) 0.78
Prefer the social interaction found at conventional workplace (Lifestyle) 0.71
Variable Pattern loading
Willing to reduce driving to improve transportation and air quality (Environmentalism) 0.48
My commute is a big hassle (Convenience) 0.4
Would usually rather have someone else do the driving (Mode-liking) 0.31
Variable Pattern loading
Would like to spend more time with family and friends (Lifestyle) 0.86
Family and friends are more important than work (Lifestyle) 0.38
Friendly relations with neighbors are important (Lifestyle) 0.36
Would like to spend more time on social, environmental, or religious "causes" (Environmentalism) 0.25
Variable Pattern loading
Basically a pretty organized person (Lifestyle) 0.53
Generally try to spend some time each week on myself (Lifestyle) 0.45
I am generally satisfied with my life (Lifestyle) 0.31
Family and friends are more important than work (Lifestyle) 0.26
Variable Pattern loading
Often feel like I don't have much control over my life (Lifestyle) 0.77
Hard to be fully productive in the place where I work (Convenience) 0.38
Work and family don't leave enough time for myself (Lifestyle) 0.3
Variable Pattern loading
Have to admit I am not very self-disciplined (Lifestyle) 0.63
Basically a pretty organized person (Lifestyle) -0.49
Would rather work with a team than by myself (Lifestyle) 0.26
Variable Pattern loading
It is generally not appropriate for supervisors to telecommute (Other) 0.54
Most telecommuters are women with child care responsibilities (Other) 0.47
Telecommuting is the same thing as working from home (Other) 0.26
Variable Pattern loading
Have to admit that for me the car is a status symbol (Social norms) 0.72
A car is nothing more than a convenient way to get around (Social norms) -0.59
Variable Pattern loading
Even if a person's job is suitable for telecommuting, there may be other good reasons for not allowing it (Other) 0.68
Variable Pattern loading
Would like to spend more time at work (Lifestyle) 0.7
I am pretty much a workaholic (Lifestyle) 0.48
Like to take risks when there is a chance for a good payoff (Lifestyle) 0.32
Would rather work with a team than by myself (Lifestyle) 0.31
Family and friends are more important than work (Lifestyle) -0.28

Models

Dependent variable Telecommuting preference
Model type binary logit
Sample size 626.0
R2 nan
Adjusted R2
Pseudo R2 0.68
AIC nan
BIC nan
Log-likelihood at zero -433.91
Log-likelihood at constants nan
Log-likelihood at convergence -137.06
Variable Coefficient p-value
Constant 0.83 0.081
Disability/parental leave 0.39 0.044
Stress 0.74 0.007
Personal benefits 0.65 0.02
Commute stress 0.61 0.01
Commute time 0.018 0.022
Amount of telecommuting job allows 0.83 0.0
Workplace interactions -0.4 0.044
Household distractions a concern -1.08 0.009
Commuting benefit -0.43 0.021

The Attitudes and Travel Database is produced with support from the Center for Teaching Old Models New Tricks at Arizona State University, a University Transportation Center sponsored by the US Department of Transportation through Grant No. 69A3551747116.

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