Preface Although there is a large body of literature on the changing nature of work and workplace flexibility, there is no handbook that synthesizes the research on all aspects of this topic. The Flexible Workplace is inter- national in scope and pulls together the vast literature on this subject. Chapters explain the concept of flexible work, trace the origin and growth of this workplace trend, and review the research on a range of flexible work arrangements. It identifies aspects of the subject that warrant additional research. This book identifies some useful resources, including books, reports, theses, periodicals, newsletters, videos, and national surveys. It also discusses strategies for locating additional information, including relevant databases, Internet resources, organi- zations, and search terms. This book is intended to serve as a handbook for managers, research- ers, and students in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate-level courses (industrial/organizational psychology, human resource manage- ment, business, sociology, etc.). This important workplace trend is cov- ered in many core and optional human resource management courses and in many courses treating contemporary issues in management. Workplace flexibility is a topic that is international in scope. Com- panies in the United States and abroad have become increasingly in- terested in implementing flexible work arrangements. One of the chapters in The Flexible Workplace focuses on companies that have been leaders in implementing flexible work arrangements. It includes ex- amples from both manufacturing and nonmanufacturing settings. It -vii- |