An office culture established in workplaces around the UK is among the main reasons why not all British businesses are affording their staff a greater degree of flexibility, according to reports.

Research from Interwise has shown that 30 per cent of British employees think that a kind of "corporate culture" and not a lack of technological capability is hindering the uptake of so-called smarter working practices at their company.

But with an increasing number of employees across the country keen to take advantage of flexible working arrangements, such as operating from home, businesses would be well advised to offer these opportunities if they want to attract the best staff, Interwise researchers maintain.

When it comes to flexible working "culture could be the most difficult of all barriers to overcome, beyond technology or cost", said Tony Gasson, international vice president at Interwise.

The Canadian Telework Association recently indicated that many businesses in North America remain unclear about the potential environmentally-friendly advantages to allowing staff of work from home.