An examination of behavioral linkages across ICT choice dimensions: copula modeling of telecommuting and teleshopping choice behavior

This study jointly examines two distinct ICT choice behaviors-telecommuting and teleshopping-along two different dimensions: adoption and frequency. The linkages between two adoption models, or the two frequency models, are obtained by adopting a flexible copula-based approach that accommodates dependency (results from unobserved factors) between individual's telecommuting and teleshopping adoption (or frequency) choices. Rather than preimpose restrictive assumptions regarding dependence, a copula-based approach affords unique flexibility in testing different forms of dependence between telecommuting and teleshopping choice behavior. As a result, the most appropriate form of dependence is obtained. This study relies on data drawn from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey, which provides several different individual/household demographics, work/commute-related factors, attitudinal/behavioral characteristics, and residential neighborhood variables. Several intriguing findings arise from the joint modeling of telecommuting and teleshopping frequency choices as well as the analysis of the interrelationships between adoption and frequency choices for a specific ICT behavior. The positive and asymmetric form of the best model data fit (obtained both for adoption and for frequency models) also demonstrates the clear presence of unobserved factors influencing the underlying process of telecommuting and teleshopping behavior. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the behavioral linkages between telecommuting and teleshopping choice behavior using the flexible copula mode ling approach.