 The new information and communication technologies (ICT) in principle allow employees access to company systems any time, any place. Much of the work can become truly "location independent". The implications of this for organisations and their workers are very significant: both the way work is planned and the way in which services are delivered can be radically transformed. The key is to know what is possible, and how to maximise the key potential benefits for productivity, competitiveness and efficiency. This report, examines the possibilities and the issues, outlining:
In the UK it is estimated that, excluding permanent site workers and the transport and logistics industries, around 20% of work - over 4m full-time equivalent jobs - involves travelling to customers, clients or suppliers. Examples include field sales and maintenance personnel, education, social and health-care workers, government inspectors (tax, health and safety, trading standards, etc.), buyers and a wide range of professionals - doctors, lawyers, accountants, investors, ministers of religion, consultants, surveyors and field-work supervisors. Furthermore in many large, distributed organisations internal support staff - IT, facilities, quality, audit, etc. - operate in a similar way. Also most senior executives spend a substantial proportion of time away from their office and "catching up with work" at home is common place for many senior staff. Many of these people are only productive when they are actually with their customers, clients or suppliers. Time spent in an office or depot or time on the road is often largely unproductive. In spite of this, it is surprising how little effort is often put into optimising the working environment, tools and practices of these flexible and mobile workers. |