Employee Trust: Traditional versus Telecommuting Work Environments

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to report the results of a study designed to measure the effects of work environments on the levels of employee trust in the same organization. In one experimental group the subjects working in a traditional work environment were administered a survey to ascertain their level of trust. The same survey was administered to subjects working in a nontraditional work environment, telecommuting employees working at home. The study hypothesized that employees working in a traditional work environment would indicate a higher level of trust then telecommuting employees. The study predicted that increased social interaction and working in close proximity, often associated with higher levels of trust, would significantly affect perceptions of trust. The results of our study, however, failed to support our hypothesis. There were no significant differences between the two experimental groups.

JEL Classification: L96