Homebased work: a review of research into themes, directions and implications

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to systematically summarise and evaluate recent articles on modern homebased work (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009). In identifying the key recurrent themes and commonalities in the existing research, it brings order to the variety of contributions to provide future directions for inquiry and knowledge production. Design/methodology/approach -Papers are identified through systematic keyword searches of multi-disciplinary databases. The aim is to identify papers that explore the social/organisational embeddedness of homebased work, rather than framing it as a technology related phenomena/problem. Findings -The review highlights some contradictory evidence about the potential for change entailed in homeworking practices and an absence of studies which focus on "less visible" workers engaged in homebased production. It also argues that few longitudinal studies exist which could address the question of the ability of homebased work to initiate change. Practical implications -The paper provides an evaluation of the literature to make sense of the diversity of themes and issues within existing research. The insights gained are of use to both academics researching this form of working and practitioners implementing it. Gaps within existing knowledge and directions for future study are also identified. Originality/value -This paper is a timely review of the recent articles that have been published on homebased work.

Variability in the use of mobile ICTs by homeworkers and its consequences for boundary management and social isolation

“…One feature of the literature on 4 teleworking/homeworking is the diversity of labels that are utilized (Tietze et al 2009). For the workers examined here their homes constitute their primary workplace, but they do make extensive use of ICTs in carrying out their work.…”

“…On the plus side, the autonomy and temporal flexibility provided by homeworking typically produces a positive work-life balance impact, giving people the scope to synchronize work and non-work schedules and commitments (Maruyama et al 2006). However, more negatively, the fact that work is carried out in the home means that the boundary between the domains of work and non-work can become blurred, which can increase the occurrence of work/non-work conflict and mean that homeworkers find it difficult to 'switch off' from work (Maruyama et al 2006, Tietze & Musson 2005, Tietze et al 2009.…”

“…The paper makes a further contribution to the homeworking literature by examining a neglected type of homeworker, those who are self-employed. Despite the heterogeneity in the character of homeworkers that exists (in terms of factors such as employment status and occupation), the academic literature on this topic has tended to focus narrowly on managerial and professional workers who are employees (Tietze et al 2009).…”

The spatial implications of homeworking: a Lefebvrian approach to the rewards and challenges of home-based work

“…Despite regular presentation as a form of flexible working that facilitates workers' opportunities to cope with both work and non-work demands (Lim and Teo, 2000), the ability of homeworking to achieve these aims has also been subject to critical examination (Phizacklea and Wolkowitz, 1995;Moore, 2006;Tietze et al, 2009). Furthermore, notions of 'home' itself have also been contested (Moore, 2000;Mallett, 2004).…”

“…The relevance of spatial factors for understanding this context has gradually emerged in the academic literature, for example through observation of changes in the material and symbolic 5 nature of the domestic space, resulting in "a new object, a new or least [sic] partially changed temporal/spatial map of the household" (Tietze, 2005: 58). While discussions of the temporal disruptions encountered through homeworking have received a great deal of attention, there remains little theorization of the spatial implications of homeworking (Felstead and Jewson, 2000;Tietze et al, 2009; also see Ahrentzen, 1990). We will now provide a brief overview of the contributions to understanding these spatial implications from, which starting point the present paper will develop our approach.…”