Final answer:
Adopting telecommuting most significantly influences the job characteristic of autonomy, as it enables employees to set their own work hours and work from home, leading to increased job satisfaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a company adopts telecommuting, the core job characteristic that is likely to be influenced the most is d. Autonomy. Telecommuting allows employees to work from home and set their own hours, thus enhancing their autonomy over their work life. This aligns with the Theory Y perspective, which assumes workers seek to work hard and productively without needing excessive control, as well as findings that suggest job satisfaction is highest when employees have control over their work and feel integral to the outcome.
Research has shown that work-content factors, including autonomy, are strongly predictive of overall job satisfaction. Financial rewards, while important, do not offer the same level of satisfaction once individuals adapt to the increase in salary. The sense of controlling one's work and the level of autonomy afforded to employees can make a significant difference in their happiness and satisfaction in the workplace.