We investigate whether the returns to mobile information and communication technology (ICT) in the workplace are contingent on granting employees autonomy over the structure of their workday through trust-based work time arrangements (TBW). Our regression analysis is based on a production function framework and exploits fine-grained firm survey data on ICT use and organisational practices for 1,045 service firms in Germany. We find empirical support for the argument that the returns to mobile ICT are higher when TBW allows for discretion over when, where and how to perform work-related tasks. The finding holds when we account for more limited forms of workplace flexibility, suggesting that the high degree of formal employee autonomy under TBW drives the complementarity between mobile ICT and organisational practices.

我们调查工作场所对移动信息和通信技术（ICT）的回报是否取决于通过基于信任的工作时间安排（TBW）授予员工在工作日结构上的自主权。我们的回归分析基于生产功能框架，并利用了针对德国1,045家服务公司的ICT使用和组织实践的细粒度公司调查数据。我们发现以下论点的经验支持：当TBW允许在何时，何地以及如何执行与工作有关的任务时可以自由决定时，移动ICT的回报更高。当我们考虑到工作场所灵活性的有限形式时，这一发现成立，表明在TBW下高度的正式员工自主权推动了移动ICT与组织实践之间的互补。