The Effects of French Organisational Relationships on Telework Job Roles: an Exploratory Role Set Analysis

Telework refers to work carried out using some form of information technology away from the tradition workplace. This paper explores using role set analysis and analyses a pilot scheme of a French public sector organisation. The investigation focuses on the effects of the interplay between teleworkers with the office based colleagues and line managers, viewed through their relationship interaction and experiences. Some findings from this study agree with arguments from the literature. Others bring new insight. Despite benefits for teleworkers, telework can generate burdens for their colleagues and alter work organisation for managers. Findings also reveal that changes in job roles can have deeper effects on cultural and organisational norms because they challenge assumptions of the traditional workplace.