Coworking spaces: Understanding, using, and managing sociomateriality

Ricarda B. Bouncken*, Mahmood Aslam, Yixin Qiu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Companies increasingly embrace the new types of work associated with coworking spaces. Coworking spaces started with the idea of a melting pot of open social interaction, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and innovation for freelancers, new ventures, or solo entrepreneurs. Companies may use coworking spaces to invigorate targets and further motivate and inspire their employees. Fundamental to achieving those targets is the coworking space’s interior design and architecture that incorporates emotional and social values that may benefit companies. Our sociomateriality perspective helps to analyze conditions in coworking spaces and guides suggestions on how companies revitalize by using coworking spaces. The purposeful design of the different social and work areas in coworking spaces can improve communication, collaboration, and innovation in companies.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)119-130
Number of pages12
JournalBusiness Horizons
Volume64
Issue number1
Early online date17 Oct 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Shared workspaces
  • Workplace architecture
  • Work innovation
  • Cowork

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