Spurred by deteriorating air quality in Los Angeles, early telecommuting trials were undertaken there by the Smart Valley Consortium. Across the Atlantic, the same pressures were bringing about similar trials in Britain, where worsening traffic problems in the greater London area saw a move towards developing telecommuting practices as well as the establishment of new industrial centres west of London in Slough, Reading and Swindon in an attempt to get businesses to relocate from central London. The bar graph below indicates the recent growth of telecommuting in the U.S., Europe and the rest of the world. Gartner Group Factors causing development of telecommuting Telecommuting has been developing at an accelerating pace since the early 1980's. The growth has been fuelled by developments in the technological, social and political environments of the Western world.
Enterprises are eager to downsize in order to reduce costs and increase work-force flexibility.
The globalisation of industry is causing increased competition, calling for the development of new strategies to maintain competitiveness. Communication technology is developing rapidly. Changes in government policy. People wanting more leisure time. Much of the growth appears to be attributable to the last factor - people want to realise the benefits of more leisure and more flexible working arrangements.