MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIC OUTLOOK 2019/2020

Observing from a bigger perspective, if working from home becomes the lifestyle for us, it would mean that we will not need moving from one workplace to another if we need to change jobs. Less forced mobility leads to less stress on commuting, and greater participation with our surrounding community, as well as contributing to a reduction in carbon footprint and contributing positively to the environment. This will purportedly serve 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals as suggested in the figure below.

Toffler wrote in his book ‘The Third Wave’, that in 1975 and even at 12 to 14% of urban commuting being replaced by telecommuting, the US would have saved up to 75 million barrels of petrol. Imagine how much of the savings we would be making not merely on petrol, but on travelling time as well, not to mention the potential stress when faced with traffic woes. Flexibility or flexitimewithwork is an arrangement between the employer and the employee to accommodate the employee’s commitments out of work and working from home is one such arrangement.

Remote Work Contributing To 7 SDGs

Working from home has its drawbacks

“IN TEAMWORK, SILENCE ISN’T GOLDEN, IT’S DEADLY.’

Mark Sanborn Author & Keynote Speaker.

Whilst there appears to be advantages with working from home, there are also drawbacks. Employee physical interaction is needed to promote teamwork and camaraderie, the lack of it will result in the opposite. Employers may also be, vulnerable to cybersecurity threats therefore they need to strengthen their internet security policies in order to protect their confidential and privileged information. Weakened communications has also been identified as another drawback, as physical interactions enable gauging of reactions and immediate remedial if required.

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Malaysian Technology Strategic Outlook 2019/2020 Intergration of High Technology

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