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Coworking spaces , increasingly prevalent globally, serve as hubs for collaboration and improved working conditions, benefiting self-employed individuals. However, there’s a notable research gap on entrepreneurs and salaried workers in these spaces, despite being a targeted demographic. This study addresses this void by exploring the interests and strategies of salaried workers and entrepreneurs in coworking spaces, particularly in small cities and villages, shedding light on the potential benefits for these groups and informing the establishment of coworking spaces in rural areas. The research underscores the significance of such spaces for entrepreneurs and salaried workers, especially in regions with fewer self-employed individuals, contributing valuable insights for fostering successful business initiatives in coworking environments.
Over time, workplaces have evolved, impacting the productivity of entrepreneurs and employees. Four distinct periods can be identified: the Cylinder Office in the 19th century, characterized by solid desks with drawers for secure paperwork storage; the Taylorist Office in the early 20th century, transforming workplaces into industrial production units; the Social Democratic Office from the 1960s, introducing open spaces for improved social interactions, despite noise concerns; and the digital era from the 1970s, leading to decentralized work organization and the rise of coworking spaces.
The development of digital technology has allowed employees to work virtually anywhere, leading to the emergence of coworking spaces. These spaces attract not only self-employed workers but also employees of various companies, including small startups. The research question arises: What factors and services attract businesspeople to coworking spaces, accelerating their business development?
Although coworking spaces are becoming widespread, especially in rural areas, there is limited research on the interests and motivations of businesspeople in these spaces. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the benefits of coworking spaces for entrepreneurs and salaried workers, particularly in small towns and villages.
The research focuses on Quebec, Canada, interviewing founders, owners, community managers, and employees of small businesses in various coworking spaces. The goal is to understand the strategies facilitating business development in the unique context of coworking spaces. The study draws on open innovation dynamics, emphasizing knowledge sharing and networks as crucial elements sought in coworking spaces. The hypothesis is that coworking spaces may play a significant role in providing businesspeople access to external knowledge for business development. The research contributes to the literature on coworking spaces and their impact on business development in specific contexts.
Literature Review and Theoretical Framework:
Businesspeople’s interest in coworking spaces lies in the potential for accessing networks and knowledge to foster innovation and business growth, a concept known as ‘open innovation.’ The paper delves into this theory concerning the appeal of coworking spaces for business individuals, preceded by a literature review to clarify the coworking concept.
Coworking spaces, regarded as third places, bridge the gap between home and the traditional workplace. Originating in the 1990s with the advent of hackerspaces, coworking gained prominence around 2005, focusing on fostering creativity and innovation. While historical precedents existed, modern coworking spaces, predominantly urban, now proliferate globally, totaling over 13,800 spaces.
These spaces offer shared physical infrastructure resembling traditional offices, enabling cost-sharing, reducing isolation, and providing an alternative to working from home. Maker and coworking spaces are seen as platforms for knowledge sharing and professional collaboration, creating potential for solidarity and cooperation.
Initially utilized by self-employed individuals, coworking spaces are increasingly attracting employees seeking flexible, motivating environments. Small companies benefit from cost-effective access to amenities, networking opportunities, and reduced commute times. The collaborative atmosphere fosters creativity, initiative, and community.
Beyond individual advantages, coworking spaces present opportunities for companies to expand activities and discover new business prospects through collaborative problem-solving. The open innovation theory underscores the importance of external knowledge sources, emphasizing the potential for coworking spaces to facilitate knowledge sharing, networking, and business development.
Theoretical frameworks like open innovation, focusing on external knowledge for innovation, are gaining relevance in the context of coworking spaces. These spaces serve as hubs for diverse professionals, fostering collaboration, and providing access to external knowledge, aligning with the principles of open innovation.
Research suggests that coworking spaces can serve as intermediaries for knowledge exchange and innovation. The role of community managers is crucial in facilitating trust relationships, while the physical layout and resources within coworking spaces contribute to intermediation activities.
Discussion:
This study explores the multifaceted nature of coworking spaces, challenging common perceptions. Focusing on businesspeople, particularly the self-employed, the research concludes with a critical discussion on identified factors and strategies. The appeal of coworking spaces to businesspeople lies in potential knowledge access and open innovation opportunities. Critical factors include location, infrastructure, and resources, with various strategies employed to foster cooperation and innovation. The paper contributes to coworking and open innovation literature by highlighting the role of coworking spaces as a third option for firms, bridging general business communities and partners. Despite positive aspects, the study emphasizes that cooperation and innovation are not guaranteed, revealing preconditions and varying effectiveness of strategies. The collaborative culture isn’t universal in coworking spaces, with geographical proximity not guaranteeing cooperation. Differences between self-employed and salaried workers in collaboration tendencies are noted, challenging assumptions. The study underscores the importance of financial, material, and human resources in coworking spaces, with organizational resources playing a crucial role. Professional proximity doesn’t always foster cooperation, as coworking spaces may diversify clientele for sustainability. Trust relationships among coworkers may not universally exist, with diverse motivations for using coworking spaces. Despite challenges, small firms see coworking spaces as viable options for knowledge access and open innovation, aligning with open innovation theory.
Conclusion:
The development of collaboration and trust in coworking spaces is not automatic but relies on various factors, including the roles of managers, facilitators, and spatial planning. Our research aligns with previous studies on self-employed workers, emphasizing the significance of human and financial resources, along with specific strategies to enhance cooperation and open innovation. The findings provide valuable insights for managers, facilitators, companies, and employees interested in utilizing coworking spaces, highlighting factors and strategies that foster collaboration and potentially impact business activities positively.
Creating an environment conducive to cooperation is crucial for business development and innovation in small enterprises, as suggested by the Open Innovation theory. However, mere presence in a coworking space doesn’t guarantee cooperation; conditions such as resources, infrastructure, and organization play pivotal roles. While coworking space managers can create favorable conditions, success ultimately depends on the openness of firms and coworkers to collaboration.
Despite the existing literature on positive collaboration effects in coworking spaces, the findings suggest a need for nuance, emphasizing the importance of identified factors and preconditions. As one of the few investigations on coworking and business development, further research is essential to confirm the extent to which coworking spaces contribute to entrepreneurial opportunities. A quantitative study could validate the relative importance of different factors, and exploration in small cities and peripheral regions may determine their potential to attract business creators and employees.
Source:
Tremblay, D. & Scaillerez, A. (2020). Coworking Spaces: New Places for Business Initiatives?. Journal of Innovation Economics & Management, 31, 39-67. https://doi.org/10.3917/jie.pr1.0063