Wharton Professor Lynn Wu Talks Productivity With BBC
The footage of Robert Kelly’s children barging in on his live interview with BBC has over 22 million views on YouTube. The clip has sparked debates about the challenges of working from home. People are raising questions about balancing distractions while working remotely, and the impact of these distractions on client relationships.
A recent BBC article explored these topics, siting research from Lynn Wu, Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Wu’s research explores the impact of information technology on the productivity of workers. Though her research is vast, her studies how social networks and information technology affect careers are particularly relevant when examining the impact of distractions on individuals who work from home.
The technological boom has led to a dramatic increase in telecommuting work, and more people with families are able to work remotely. Though working from home seems ideal to those who cherish the freedom to spend more time with their families, Robert Kelly’s interview demonstrates some of the potential professional hazards of blurring the boundary between work and home life.
Professionals working from home run the risk of seeming distracted. According to Wu’s research, fellow working parents will likely be understanding of unforeseen intrusions. Younger colleagues, however, may view such interruptions as unprofessional.
Though Robert Kelly’s children interrupting his interview on live television surprised and delighted many viewers, it is unclear how the incident might affect his professional standing. He certainly gained publicity from the unconventional news clip, but Wu’s research suggests that it may have been perceived as unprofessional by many of his colleagues.
