Classifying changes. A taxonomy of contemporary coworking spaces

Abstract

Purpose During the past decade, the coworking concept has expanded and evolved along with the industry associated with it, so that references to coworking often refer to notions quite distinct from the original conception. The purpose of this paper is to establish a classification of contemporary coworking environments and clarify the scholarly, as well as the industry usage of a coworking model. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews popular and scientific literature and the authors’ field experience in the industry to derive three defining features of coworking and distinct categories that help clarify the concept and can be used to identify and evaluate coworking spaces. Findings The main finding behind the following paper is the taxonomy of contemporary coworking spaces that takes into account the broad spectrum of shared workspaces that commonly receive the coworking label, specifies the features required to warrant that label and provides a framework for understanding the defining factors of a coworking model. The taxonomy showcases four unalike types of coworking spaces and the three types of non-coworking shared offices that are repeatedly and somewhat mistakenly labeled as coworking environments. Originality/value Understanding the core differentiation between unalike models would enable scholars to guide and structure the study to evolve in coworking research. The taxonomy can be seen as a base for further research in the field of coworking that helps ensure scholars are sufficiently specific and distinctive in the shared subject of their research, suggests a roadmap for future coworking research and provides a tool to evaluate real-world examples of work environments concerning the degree they fit the coworking concept.

In search of member needs in coworking spaces

“…Large organizations have 250 or more employees, medium organizations have between 50 and 249 employees, and small organizations have between 10 and 49 employees. The cases show a combination of individual-purposed coworking spaces with freelancers and location independent workers as well as group-purposed coworking spaces in which larger companies and teams are located but still form a community across non-affiliated entities (Orel & Bennis 2021 ).…”

“…Several authors have also identified different types of coworking spaces. Initially, coworking was primarily focused on start-ups, freelancers and entrepreneurs, but in recent years, larger and established firms are also using coworking spaces (Kraus et al 2022 , Orel & Bennis 2021 ). Bouncken et al ( 2018 ) classified four different types of coworking (i.e., corporate, open corporate, consultancy, and independent coworking spaces) and identified tensions regarding value creation and appropriation related to coopetition.…”

“…Bouncken et al ( 2018 ) classified four different types of coworking (i.e., corporate, open corporate, consultancy, and independent coworking spaces) and identified tensions regarding value creation and appropriation related to coopetition. Orel and Bennis ( 2021 ) developed a taxonomy of four different coworking models: (a) the individual-purposed space in which freelancers and location independent professionals work alongside, (b) the creation-purposed space focusing on jointly creating like a makerspace, (c) a group-purposed space focusing on teams often of larger firms, and (d) a startup-purposed coworking space.…”

Coworking spaces vs. home: Does employees' experience of the negative aspects of working from home predict their intention to telework in a coworking space?

“…. (Gajendran and Harrison, 2007;Vayre and Pignault, 2014;Wang et al, 2021), an increasingly popular location has emerged in the last decade, referred to as coworking spaces (Akhavan, 2021;Orel and Bennis, 2021).…”

“…Teleworking (also referred to as remote working, telecommuting) is broadly defined as “an alternative work arrangement in which employees perform tasks elsewhere that are normally done in a primary or central workplace, for at least some portion of their work schedule”, using ICTs to communicate with colleagues and others outside the organization (Gajendran and Harrison, 2007 , p. 1525). Although home is the most common location for teleworking (Gajendran and Harrison, 2007 ; Vayre and Pignault, 2014 ; Wang et al, 2021 ), an increasingly popular location has emerged in the last decade, referred to as coworking spaces (Akhavan, 2021 ; Orel and Bennis, 2021 ).…”