Telecommuting is a non-traditional work arrangement using telecommunications and computer facilities as an alternative for work at a central workplace. Telecommuting has been considered as one strategy that can reduce demand for travel in most developed countries like the United States. This study investigated the potentials of telecommuting in the Philippines, a developing country, through employees' and employers' perceptions and stated preferences on several hypothetical scenarios. It was found, from the models developed in the study, that the willingness of individuals to telecommute is a function of both socio-economic characteristics and the attributes of the working arrangement proposed. Furthermore, telecommuting is more acceptable to professionals, particulary engineers, architects, researchers and those working in computers for longer periods. Female, married employees and car users are more inclined to telecommute. However, employees do not seem to value telecommuting if they are to incur costs. Employees are more willing to trade-off benefit privileges with the convenience offered by the program. In summary, results of the study suggest that telecommuting has potentials for adoption in the Philippines. Further studies that will cover diversified samples with both revealed preference and stated-preference data are strongly suggested to generate more substantial conclusions.
