Research Design Connection: Coworking and Community

by Sally Augustin, Ph.D. | August 7th, 2017

Garrett, Spreitzer and Bacevice investigated the development of community at coworking sites. They collected information via a qualitative study at an unnamed coworking space in a suburban Midwestern town. As the researchers explain, they identified two factors that contributed to the development of a sense of community (SOC) at their research site “1) social…motivation for community, and 2) autonomous structure and practices allowing members to…align their community involvement with their desire for community…The autonomous and flexible structure at [the coworking group] allowed the level and quality of community engagement to reflect members’ desires…At [the coworking group], the loose structure allows members to associate with the people they enjoy, when they want their company…it was also important that members felt free to express their authentic selves…Employee efforts to be authentic are often disrupted by political dynamics that employees must navigate, potentially leading them to portray what is deemed to be valued …