Teleworkers' Characteristics in Live/Work Communities: Lessons from the United States and Australia

Abstract

This paper refers to the ambiguity that resides in over three decades of telework research and develops the concept of community-based teleworkers as people who work from home or community-based offices using telecommunications. It investigates three case studies of live/work communities in which different levels of collective telework facilities have been offered to support community-based telework. This investigation promotes further understanding of individual and work-related characteristics of community-based teleworkers, and opens discussion on their spatial preferences. Understanding these preferences could lead the future of live/work community design and planning to fully embrace this flexible work option in the information age.

Keywords:

• Telework
• live/work community
• collective telework facility
• individual characteristic
• work characteristic
• spatial characteristics

Acknowledgment

I would like to express my gratitude to Crighton Properties for their financial support that facilitated the progress of this study.

Notes

For the sake of the privacy of residents this study is not allowed to reveal the real identity of this community. It will be called Lakeside which refers to its actual nature, located beside a beautiful lake.

For the sake of the privacy of residents this study is not allowed to reveal the real identity of this community. It will be called Parkside which refers to the existence of more than 15 hectares of parks and picnic grounds in the community.

For the sake of the privacy of residents this study is not allowed to reveal the real identity of this community. It will be called Golfside which refers to the existence of a golf course as a recreational amenity in the community.

Integrated home-office refers to an extra bedroom in a house that is used as an office.

Semi-separated home-office refers to an extra room or suite in a house that is originally designed as an optional office. It has easy access to the entrance and is partially separated from the rest of house.

Completely-separated home-office refers to an extra suite added to a house that is absolutely separated from the rest of house. It mostly gives an office look to the main façade and has its own separate entrance.