Telework: Identifying a Personal Dimension to Work-Related Socio-Technical Theory

Authors

  • Cynthia Ruppel Nova Southeastern University
  • Leslie Tworoger Nova Southeastern University
  • Thomas Tworoger Nova Southeastern University

Keywords:

Socio-technical theory,

Abstract

This qualitative study uses socio-technical theory, which posits the interdependence of the social and the technical subsystems of work to view both the work and lives of managers in a Fortune 100 multinational corporation. The managers in the study were leading global virtual teams from their homes with no dedicated corporate office. We found that balancing across both the work and personal socio and technical systems, as well as across the systems in their integrated personal and professional lives, is very complex. The managers appeared to tolerate these difficulties for the flexibility they perceive teleworking provided.

Author Biographies

Cynthia Ruppel, Nova Southeastern University

Cynthia Ruppel is an associate professor at Nova Southeastern University. She received her Ph.D. in MIS from Kent State University. Her research interests include telecommuting, ecommerce, supply chains, and virtual teams as well as innovation adoption and diffusion. She has published in IEEE Transactions on Professional Communications, Database, Journal of the AIS, Information Resource Management Journal, and Information Systems Frontiers

Leslie Tworoger, Nova Southeastern University

Leslie Tworoger is an associate professor of management at Nova Southeastern University. She received her D.B.A. in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. Her research interests include telecommuting and virtual teams as well as innovation and change. She has published in International Journal of ECollaboration, Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship and Journal of Organizational Culture, Communication and Conflict.

Thomas Tworoger, Nova Southeastern University

Tom Tworoger is an associate professor and chair of the entrepreneurship department at Nova Southeastern University. He received his DBA from Nova Southeastern University. His current research interests include entrepreneurship, microfinance, and leadership. He has published in Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, Journal of Business and Leadership, Academy of Information Management Sciences Journal, and the Academy of Information and Sciences Journal.

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Published

2012-12-05

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2012)

Section

ABR Journal Articles

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