Social innovations in work organizing: telework in Slovakia

Abstract

The current knowledge economy is being further developed; main driving force is so-called information society. This society is characterized by the penetration of new information and communication technologies at all levels of the economy and social life. This allows introducing innovative forms of organizing work that enhance the performance and flexibility of both, employees and employers. Such forms include also telework which has the potential to be a tool for employment growth and ensuring the employability and adaptability of workers. Flexibility of telework is not only in eliminating commuting to the workplace but also in the possibility of integrating into the labour market risk groups such as the mentally challenged, mothers on and/or after maternity leave, residents of peripheral parts of cities or rural areas with high rates of unemployment etc. In this paper we analyse the use of telework in public sector in Slovakia. Methods are based on the methodology of international project Learning from Innovation in Public Sector Environments (LIPSE), we use mainly historical-logic and content-causal methods, the questionnaire and the basics of descriptive statistics. The main findings concern the rate of use of telework in municipalities in Slovakia is not very widespread, the main barriers are legislation, bureaucratic culture of public sector and individual scepticism and resistance shown by employees towards telework.