Changes in the nature of office work, the composition of the labor force, and the structure of economic markets, have led to increased interest in working at home. First, today infomation processing is central to the operation of most offices. As the ...
Changes in the nature of office work, the composition of the labor force, and the structure of economic markets, have led to increased interest in working at home. First, today infomation processing is central to the operation of most offices. As the cost of computers and telecommunications equipment has dropped, it has become more feasible for workers to work out of the home. Second, today's labor force is made up of an increaing number of women with young children and self-employed workers, two group that find home-based work to be an ideal arrangement. Third, economic markets are no longer limited by geographic boundries. Therefore in order to compete in the global marketplace, businesses have increased their productivity by replacing workers with machines and subcontraction work out to self-employed and home-based independent contractors.
In particular, home-based work appeals heavily to women with children since both child care and income generation are possible. Korea's employment rate for women is continuously increasing overall, while the rate for women who stop working due to marrige and childrearing is still very high. Accordingly, home-based work can offer good alternative to the women who stop working due to marrige and childrearing.
The objectives of this study are as follows:
1. Clarify the concept of home-based work which the definition still differs between experts and help define home-based work through theoretical approach.
2. Examine the variables effecting management behavior, home-based income and life satisfaction of home-based worker through empirical study.
3. Assist in establishing plan and analyzing the influence of work by comparing managment behavior, income and life satisfaction between bome-based worker and out-of-home worker.
4. Based on the results of this study, Increase understaning and concern of home-based work, while at the same time serve with valuable information to people seeking home-based work. It also casts a light on organizing and planning women's employment education and policy.
In this study, the questionnairs were used as measureable scale, selected married women as home-based workers. Home-based workers were consisted of wage earners and business owners. The data for this study were collected on March, April 1998 after two prelimilary surveys were performed. The data used for statistical analysis is total 411 of home-based worker 285 and out-of-home worker 126. The statistical methods used for data analysis were frequencies, mean, t-test, multiple regression, factor analysis and path analysis.
The research results can be summarized as follows.
(1) Home-based worker's worker/household characteristics, work characteristics, work environment characteristics were statistically significant variable to work management behavior, home management behavior. Time management were statistically significant which is affected by variables of education level, work time, work time pattern, time flexibility, time perception. Work management behavior were affected by variables of child, concentration nececity. Home management behavior were affected by varibales of education level, child, degree of family interruption.
(2) Home-based work income were higer for older women, no employment experience in out of home, lower age of children, business owner, lower time flexibility.
(3) Economic satisfaction were affected by home-based work motive, degree of interruption, home management behavior and home-based work income.
(4)In casue-effect model analysis that affects life satisfaction, economic satisfaction, family life satisfaction, work satisfaction was related to work management, home management behavior and home-based work income. Family life satisfaction had path of work management, home management and work satisfaction had path of work management.. Econonic satisfaction was related to home management and income. Family life satisfaction was related to work management, home management. And work satisfaction was related to work management. But unlikely with the model which was setted at first in this study, income was not affected by management behavior.
(5) In comparison of out-of-home employee and home-based employees, it has been found that home based employees are performing more work and home management. Home-based worker's income level was lower than out-of-home employees but family life satisfaction and time use satisfaction was significantly higher and economic satisfaction and work satisfaction was not significantly different.
Based on result of this study some conclusions are as follows.
First, because work satisfaction is higher for older women not only women of the child rearing period but also married women of different life cycle stage need the oppertunity of home-based work. Second, more effective management behavior is needed to satisfy as management behavior were statistically significant in variables to economic satisfaction, family life satisfaction, work satisfaction. Third, as employee's income is lower than compared with self-employed and out-of-home employees thus regulation are needed to cover this income difference. Specifically, workload should be provided steadly to home-based employees and acceptable income standard should be established. Fouth, although home-based employee's income is low, economic satisfaction is not much more different than out-of-home employee since home-based employee's income is very important in household. And because home-based worker's family life satisfaction and time use satisfaction is high, home-based work is attractive alternative to balance family life and work life.
Future societies will be developed toward individule will seeking various value and lifestyle. If flexibility and quality of family life is sought and if evaluate the outcome, home-based work will be more effective.
So, home-based work is good alternative to induce married women to labour market if some problems are covered. Future societies may develop many home-based occupation and chance of employment should be enlarged. Home-based work can offer a stable income, if corporations and governments continuously put in the effort needed to make home-based work successful.