Communication, identity, and alternative work methods : examining the identification configuration of teleworkers /
While a great deal has been written about identification, much of what scholars know about the creation and maintenance of connection, loyalty, and perceived membership in a group stems from face-to-face interaction. In examining the alternative work method of teleworking, employees are not in the...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2002.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=765049961&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | While a great deal has been written about identification, much of what scholars know about the creation and maintenance of connection, loyalty, and perceived membership in a group stems from face-to-face interaction. In examining the alternative work method of teleworking, employees are not in the office every day and are relying on technology to help facilitate that interaction. The purpose of this dissertation is to understand more thoroughly the identification configuration of teleworkers and examine two categories of antecedents that may influence a teleworker's identification with various "targets" in the social world: technology and the negotiation process. Two new ideas are introduced in this dissertation. First, a new type of identification target is examined - identifying with how one works. As more and more individuals try alternative work methods such as teleworking, the method one uses to work could become as much a part of individual identity as where one works or what one does for a living. Second, the concept of identification configuration is introduced. Identification configuration is the confluence of various targets for which an individual may identify, such as the organization, occupation, and personal interest. This study looks at four identification targets - organization, occupation, telework, family - to gain more insight and understanding into identification and its role in this alternative work method. Teleworkers completed 327 teleworkers on-line surveys and gave 22 in-depth interviews. Results from this dissertation indicate that teleworkers' identification configuration is most strongly influenced by their family identification, followed then equally by organization and occupation identification, and then by identification with teleworking. Furthermore, to the extent that teleworkers balanced work/home roles and are not influenced by their coworkers' opinions and ideas on how they accomplished this balance, their identification levels are strengthened. In addition, technology use and identification configuration are significantly correlated, as the increase use of certain technologies are associated with higher identification levels. Finally, teleworkers are found to engage in little role negotiation with their supervisors and coworkers regarding their teleworking role, but they do engage in role negotiation with family members. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Speech Communication". |
| Physical Description: | xi, 207 leaves ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-172). |