An Empirical Study of the Effects of Telework During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan Using Panel Data.

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effects of telework on some kinds of satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. The hypotheses are: (1) the positive relationship between job/life satisfaction and telework exists, (2) the optimum frequency of telework exists, (3) the effects of telework are different among regular and non-regular employees, and (4) telework can increase the satisfaction of childcare, but its effects are different among male and female employees. One of the most comprehensive panel data, including the frequency of telework and some kinds of satisfaction, is used. The method of statistical analysis is a random-effects ordered probit regression model, because the variables of telework are possibly endogenous. One of the contributions of this study is to consider telework as endogenous. The main results of statistical analysis indicated: (1) a positive relationship between job satisfaction and the frequency of telework was observed as well as life satisfaction, (2) the effect of telework on the job and life satisfaction was the largest in the case that its frequency was less than 50%, (3) the job and life satisfactions of regular employees were affected by the frequency of telework in all case, and for non-regular employees, its effects were observed in the lower frequency cases of less than 50% and irregular, and (4) the increase of the childcare satisfaction by telework was observed in male employees rather than in female employees.