Minicase 1-3 CALIFORNIA STATE GOVERNMENT: TELECOMMUTING - ANSWERS


1. Possible opportunities for firms for
   a) white-collar workers in human resource department
       planning events for employees 
       reviewing employee benefits 
   b) field sales reps 
       transmitting orders to the office 
       checking on price/availability of stock
       checking on customer account information
       checking on customer order information 
   c) data entry clerks
       processing changes in status for employees (raises, promotions, transfers, and so on.) 

2. a) White collar workers in the human resource department would each need a
      computer and modem, either purchased by the company or the employee.
      Telephone lines are necessary for the network connections. Transmission
      speed on telephone connections is relatively slow. In addition, security
      may be a problem, since employees' families and friends may have access
      to the equipment. Software to run each connection would have to be 
      purchased and kept up to date. The advantages would include the reduced
      necessity of employees' commuting, more flexibility, and less office
      space required by the complany.

   b) Field sales representatives would have to be supplied with portable
      computers equipped with modems and appropriate software. The cost may 
      have to be borne by either the employess or the company. Software to
      manage the additional communications will be required at the company's
      main computer. Security will be an issue, since a portable computer has
      a higher chance of being used by unauthorized persons. Policies will have
      to be established to deal with theft of equipment and theft of data.
      Advantages for the sales representatives will be the fast response time
      using their own computers, and less need to spend time in the office.

   c) Data entry clerks would have to be supplied with equipment or purchase
      their own. This equipment includes the computers, modem, and software
      for the connection. In addition, space would have to be made available
      at the employee's home for this equipment. Telephone lines may have to
      be leased in order to enable quick response. Advantages for these
      employees include more flexibility in work hours and less commuting time.
      Disadvantages may be the lack of contact with co-workers and supervisors
      and the necessity for additional security procedures.

3. Advantages

   a) for telecommuter
        flexible schedule
        less travel/commute time
   b) for company
        less office space required
        less likelihood of lateness and absenteeism
        possible higher morale among workers

   Disadvantages
 
   a) for telecommuter
        "hidden" work hours (may end up working longer)
        isolation from other workers
        high cost (if paying for own equipment and software)
        less visibility to superiors in organization
   b) for company
        harder to supervise workers
        security problems when remote access is allowed to data
        training requirements may be a high cost

4. Block:
   a.   No changes in organizational reward system (rewards based on visible
        work, "out of sight, out of mind").
   b.   No way for managers to evaluate employees who are not on-site.
   c.   Cost of start-up is high (equipment, room in employee's home, etc.)
   d.   Cost of initial training is high.
   e.   Cost of telecommunications services.
   f.   Morale and isolation problems of employees.

   Promote:
   a.   Cost of travel becomes more expensive.
   b.   Cost of telecommunications shrinks even more.
   c.   Cost of telecommunications equipment goes down.
   d.   Telecommunications services and infrastructure improve.
   e.   Organizations and work are redesigned.

Answers to questions 7-9 on page 30


7. a. data communications b. no telecommunications c. data communications d. voice communications e. data communications f. data communications g. data and voice communications h. data and voice communications i. data and voice communications, if the officer checks the driver's license with the central computer before issuing citation 8. Phone companies may vary according to location. Depending on the country, these could be a PTT (post, telephone, and telegraph). 9. a. LAN b. WAN c. WAN d. WAN e. WAN f. WAN