The Remote Revolution : A New Paradigm for the Working World

* If you haven't already, please read this post that offers a working definition of the Remote Revolution*

Please allow me to begin by making a statement about what this blog will not do. It will not discuss the anecdotal stories of remote workers, will not tell you about the great things about working from the comfort of one's own home, and will talk about what kind of ergonomic office equipment you should buy. There are hundreds of blogs, some of them great, some of them a little scammy, that will do an excellent job of discussing the more practical issues for those who are already teleworkers. 

What you can expect here is a little different. This blog is about telecommuting theory and is far more research-based than personal or advice-laden in tone. This blog will be examining the core concepts that underlie a change in how we conceive the working world and how changes based on technological progress will alter (following a mass shift to telecommuting--a remtoe revolution) every aspect of our work and non-work-related lives. You would be surprised by all the issues that come into play, thus you can expect a discussion that crosses disciplines. Sociology, futurism, management, technology, history, literature--all of these areas of inquiry present valuable ideas that can be applied to this topic. 

So, quite simply, this blog is designed to relate pertinent information about one of the most important movements in modern working society—the telecommuting revolution or, as it’s known here, the remote revolution. 

Due to an influx of effective new technologies and a shift in the workforce in general (from production of goods to the information marketplace) the telecommuting movement that has been gaining momentum in recent years and is finally getting the credit it deserves in a changing world. More publications and academic branches are stepping outside of old boundaries and are giving this subject a great deal more face-time. Telecommuting is becoming a legitimate force in the working world and more companies than ever, if only to save money in key areas such as office rental costs and other fees associated with traditional business upkeep, are making the shift.

Remote work is within reach for many employees and in many cases, the only thing standing in the way is an ability for companies to trust that their workers will maintain the same level of proficiency and productivity when outside of the traditional on-site management paradigm. While there are a number of other complex issues that keep companies from permitting employees from making the jump to telecommuting that will be discussed here, the overarching problem—the biggest stumbling block—is simply tradition. While this blog will be objective in its approach to current research and analysis, a fact is a fact—this blog is certainly pro-telecommuting. The benefits are far too numerous to ignore or overlook but equal weight will be given to opposing arguments as they arise, if only to keep the topic alive, healthy, and with maximum public involvement.

For a long time, telecommuting was thought to be a luxury that only a few in very specific industries could enjoy but now, especially during this time of environmental and economic crisis, the tide is changing. More companies have looked beyond the traditional working arrangements and have found telecommuting to be a rewarding experience. While there certainly drawbacks to telecommuting that will be discussed here in the future as well, overall, this seems to have been a positive move for workers and employers alike—so what’s keeping us from restructuring our society to meet the challenges? Again, tradition.

Historically speaking, when tradition was the only thing preventing progress, what eventually happened? Well, a revolution, of course. And like most revolutions, this is starting with a few innovators who are not afraid to share their experiences, research, and insights so that something once thought to be applicable to a small segment of the population can be applied globally. There are thousands of companies blazing new trails in their experiments with telecommuting and academia is also producing challenging new visions and data sets that will be the source of commentary here.

Much of the emphasis of this blog will be dedicated to exploring contemporary research about telecommuting, thus you can look at RemoteRevolution as something of an ongoing literature review that takes complex ideas and relates them in a readable and succinct format. It will also be a springboard for discussion so be not afraid! Add your voice, opinions, experiences, and insights in the comments anytime.

If you have specific questions or need to contact this blog’s editor and main writer, Nicole, you can do so here. You’ll find that she’s quick to respond, especially since this is a topic that holds her interest and has since she first took a position as an independent researcher for a company that required extensive data on telecommuting experiences from other companies in its field. Since performing an analysis of over 150 sources (this was in 2004 when there was far less out there than there is now) she has remained interested in the topic and stays abreast on current research and by now, knows where to look.

Thank you so much for visiting. Hopefully you’ll check back regularly and contribute your thoughts on the host of issues that relate to the new working paradigm. We can learn from each about how to work. Differently.