The impact of working from home on urban commuting in China: A comprehensive analysis using social media and recruitment website data

Due to the numerous advantages of working from home (WFH), it has been adopted in many countries following the end of COVID-19. Understanding individuals' attitudes towards WFH in the post-epidemic era and exploring the potential mitigation of commuting-related congestion would be advantageous for promoting WFH arrangements in China. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis from the viewpoints of employees and employers, utilizing social media and recruitment website data, respectively. A commuting reduction model (CRM) was developed to examine the impact of WFH arrangements on urban commuting. The results reveal that 53.97 % of the collected posts exhibited a positive attitude towards WFH. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that companies implementing WFH are primarily located in "popular cities" (meaning cities with high demand for employment opportunities and high numbers of job seekers) for work. These companies are predominantly in the information services, education, or entertainment industries. Moreover, WFH is more likely to be adopted by smaller, private companies that require their employees to have at least a high school or post-secondary education. Lastly, CRM estimates to reduce commuting caused by WFH in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, all in China. The findings suggest that adopting WFH can reduce urban commuting by 11.37 %, 6.22 %, 10.04 %, and 12.31 %, respectively. The government should devise policies encouraging WFH in specific industry categories and educational levels to promote WFH arrangements further. This study aims to provide insights for the government to understand the current state of WFH and guide future policymaking in China.