Perceived benefits of and barriers to the adoption of teleworking: peculiarities of Spanish family firms

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe use of information and communication technologies has allowed employees to perform work at an approved alternative worksite. Although family firm is the predominant form of business organisation, no study has analysed their peculiarities in adopting teleworking practices. Family firms are characterised by the alignment of interests of ownership and management, long-term orientation and the pursuit of non-economic objectives. Grounded in the socio-emotional wealth approach and the Technology Acceptance Model, this study examines the idiosyncrasies of family governance in the perception of teleworking benefits and barriers to the adoption of teleworking. Using a sample of 200 Spanish companies, differences are found in the perceived barriers to teleworking. Although family firms perceive higher barriers, they do not influence on teleworking adoption. In contrast, in non-family firms, the decision to adopt teleworking is influenced by both the perceived benefits of teleworking and the perceived barriers. This means that Spanish family firms adopt teleworking evaluating only the perceived benefits. Although family firms may fear problems arising from teleworking when they decide to adopt it, they are more confident in their ability to implement it.