PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Melissa Bolling

Industrial/Organizational
May 1992
 

Effects of Leadership Style, Need for Control, Gender and Commuting Experience
on Managers’ Attitudes toward Telecommuting
 

    One of the critical obstacles to widespread adoption of telecommuting is the attitude of managers.  We need to understand the factors which shape managers’ attitudes toward telecommuting.  The following variables were studied: leadership style; trust, as measured by need for control; gender; and commuting experience.

    Questionnaires were distributed in organizations located in Southern California.  The survey consisted of an informed consent form; demographic questionnaire; a leadership survey; the FIRO-B, which measure expressed control; and an Attitudes Toward Telecommuting Survey.  Thirty male and 30 female subjects were used for the data analysis.  Gender proved to be the only variable significantly related to interest in telecommuting.  Females expressed more interest in telecommuting than males did.
    Future research should try to determine the factors which may contribute to interest in telecommuting.  A qualitative study would provide concrete reasons as to why women managers express more interest in telecommuting than do male managers.

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