Telecommuting continues to be a hot-button issue for many businesses. While many of the benefits are clear--reduced overhead costs, commuting and parking expenses and environmental impact, as well as improved morale--many in senior management still question its effect on productivity. 

Researchers at Brigham Young University have tried to find a scientific answer to that question. In studying 24,436 IBM (NYSE: IBM) employees, they found that those who had flexible schedules and the option of telecommuting were able to work, on average, up to 57 hours a week before becoming overwhelmed by their lives. Among office dwellers, 38 hours was the limit.

The study, reported in GreenBiz on Friday, was led by a former IBM employee who is now a professor at BYU's School of Family Life. A key finding was that it wasn't telecommuting alone that afforded more work hours but the flexibility that a company gives its employees.

In my experience, the productivity quotient of telecommuting is highly individual. I know a number of people who are unable to telecommute on any regular basis because they miss the camaraderie of the office, lunch out with colleagues, and the structure of a fixed schedule. Others, even in the same line of work, find these to be distracting and are able to work much more productively without them. For employers, the challenge involves figuring out which kinds of jobs and employees are suited to flexibility and which aren't.

The iPhone and business

Last week I posed the question of whether AT&T was merely spinning hope in asserting that the iPhone is secure, robust and functional enough for enterprise use. The answer from you, the experts, was unequivocal: It's spin.

Several of you pointed out recently reported vulnerabilities in the iPhone (NASDAQ: AAPL), and others expressed lack of confidence in the network it runs on. Although there are some very useful business apps for the iPhone, they're not very helpful if data doesn't get through or signals are dropped.

One interesting new development that may have relevance for the iPhone's business readiness is AT&T's decision to provide tethering. The carrier announced the change when it unveiled its new data pricing plans June 2. When the iPhone OS4 comes out later this year, iPhone customers with the $25/month data plan will have the option of paying an additional $20 to share the connection with other devices, like laptops. As one of you remarked, tethering could certainly add to the iPhone's value as a business tool. - Caron