STATED PREFERENCE APPROACH TO MODELING THE ADOPTION OF TELECOMMUTING

Abstract

Many researchers have suggested the potential use of telecommuting as a substitute for travel to reduce traffic congestion, energy consumption, and air pollution. The effectiveness of this working arrangement as a strategy to address these policy issues, however, will depend on the level of adoption and on the impacts of usage on individuals' travel behavior. This paper discusses the process of individuals' adoption of telecommuting, given that the alternative is made available by the employer. A review of the relevant research concerning individuals and the process of adoption of telecommuting is presented. On the basis of the state of the art, a framework to model this process is proposed. An empirical study conducted to demonstrate the proposed framework is described. The implications of the main findings of this study policy design are analyzed and directions for further research are suggested.