Nepali IT Employees’ Perception towards Telecommuting: A qualitative study

Abstract

This research tries to explore the perception of Nepali IT employees towards telecommuting in a qualitative method. It tries to dig into the opportunities that the Nepali context offers for the adoption of telecommuting concept and identify the potential pitfalls. The individual interview method was chosen for the data collection. The semi-structured guideline was followed. Convenience sampling was used. Four employees working in IT companies inside the Kathmandu Valley were interviewed. 100 % of the participants reported that this concept is advantageous in the case of Nepal. Flexibility, freedom in doing work, increases in productivity, work-life balance, and cost-effectiveness were found to be perceived advantages of telecommuting in the context of Nepal. Worsening of communication and lack of infrastructure, disturbances in the house are perceived disadvantages. Furthermore, the inclusion of wide diversity of workforce is the prominent opportunity of telecommuting while the implementation part is the main hurdle as it is a new concept in the case of Nepal.

Perceived Benefits and Pitfalls of Telecommuting Practices: Information Technology Professionals' Perspectives

“…They are also able to improve their quality of life and have opportunities to arrange supervision of family members. Telecommuting gives them the flexibility they need to perform their jobs efficiently, increasing their productivity (de Vries et al, 2019;Parajuli, 2020;Athanasiadou & Theriou, 2021;Rajbanshi, 2022). Telecommuting, when done correctly, increases employee efficiency, productivity, and job satisfaction (Brown, 2010).…”

“…Likewise, many researchers (Hesse & Grantham, 1991;Perin, 1991;Pratt, 1993;Duxbury et al, 1998;Bélanger, 1999;Baruch, 2000;Jurik, 1998;Bussing, 1998;Raghuram et al, 2001;Golden & Veiga, 2005;Gajendran & Harrison, 2007;Fay & Kline, 2012;Allen et al, 2013;Bélanger et al, 2013;Allen et al, 2015, Golden, 2006Kossek et al, 2006;Pearce, 2009;Golden & Eddleston, 2018;Shabanpour et al, 2018;de Vries, Tummers & Bekkers, 2019;Parajuli, 2020;Athanasiadou & Theriou, 2021;Rajbanshi, 2022) have observed the benefits of telecommuting for individual workers as flexible working hours, personal freedom, enhanced time management, savings in travel time and expenses, and flexibility in arranging supervision of family members and dependents, as well as professional flexibility. Telecommuting also increases productivity, human resource provision, motivation, and satisfaction.…”

“…The majority of this field's research is focused on developed countries. Working from anywhere at any time has not been thoroughly researched in developing countries (Chepken, 2012;Rajbanshi, 2022). In developing countries such as Nepal, there is little literature available about research on this issue.…”

“…Core jobs in the IT sector, on the other hand, do not require employees to be present at all times in the company. Part or all of their work can be done from the comfort of their own home (Rajbanshi, 2022). Telecommuting has become increasingly popular in Nepal in recent years.…”