I think you have to realise that when you say a majority of /companies/ you're actually talking about a few key decision makers in this company. The HR manager

I think you have to realise that when you say a majority of /companies/ you're actually talking about a few key decision makers in this company. The HR manager and your team leader and probably the CTO equivalent have to back this plan. These people generally have to justify what they do not only to their superiors but to other people in the business. And hiring someone who isn't physically there is always going to be riskier (to them) than someone sitting at their desk whatever they are doing. That's my 2p worth anyway.