Implications of Coworking on Collaboration and Competitiveness

In the research proposal below, a study intended to examine the coworking attribute and the economic implications it brings is proposed. Table of Contents Abstract 3 Introduction 4 Research Aim 7 Literature Review 7 Enhancing Collaboration and Sharing 7 Sharing Spaces and Entrepreneurship 11 Methodology 13 Research Hypotheses: 14 Research Questions: 15 Data Analysis 15 Data 15 Discussion 16 Collaboration 16 Competitiveness 17 Multi-industry Setting 17 Conclusion 18 References 20 Implications of Coworking on Collaboration and Competitiveness Introduction Coworking represents an exclusive workplace model that empowers people of different professional backgrounds to work together in a shared space. The concept was conceived in the 1990s as a term for describing computer-collaborated work, after which Citizen Space and the Hat Factory launched as the firstcoworking centers in the United States (NAIOP Research Foundation 2014). In reality, coworking spaces are more collaborative, enjoyable, and collegial.

Although some designs provide private offices, 80% of coworking members prefer open designs (Foertsch 2015). A case in point of an early adopter of internal coworking was Coca-Cola which established a 70-workforce space at its Atlanta premises in 2013. The company primarily intended the space to stimulate entrepreneurial behavior and innovation. Figure 1: Number of coworking spaces worldwide from 2005 to 2017 (Statista) Firms that have adopted the concept of coworking have done so in a range of styles in order to suit their particular needs. In some situations, enterprises are inviting their work-from-home workforce to attempt coworking and reap the benefits that many other users have reported hitherto. Some of the most significant benefits include enhanced collaboration, increased job satisfaction levels, and improved productivity. Therefore, it is necessary to study the characteristics and components of the coworkingmodel, particularly to understand its mechanisms and structures as well as how it interacts with other principles of economics.

Research Aim Given the need to build an understanding of the coworking model, the researcher aims at investigating the economic implications it has on the performance of users. In a bid to attain this, the researcher focused on evaluating the effect that coworking has on the collaboration of the users besides providing them with a competitive advantage. Literature Review Enhancing Collaboration and Sharing According to a study conducted by Leclercg-Vandelannoitte and Isaac (2016), it is revealed that the evolution of the classic models of organizations and work spaces have resulted in a more diverse approach to handling work environments. Despite the wide birth given to this new phenomenon by researchers, it is seen to create rapid changes in the management of work spaces and management practices.

These also referred to as the knowledge workers have embraced these spaces given the social implications they add to their working. Gandini looks at these work spaces as more ideal for independent professionals as compared to those affiliated to an organization. The indication of this is that the increasing coworking spaces have also come with a growth in number of workers under the knowledge professions which also presents another shift from traditional working environments. In support of the above, Potts and Waters-Lynch (n. d) reveals that working from home or isolated places as has been the trend for many solo self-employed teams has resulted in psychological strains that affects the productivity of the workers. As if to emphasis the importance of social interactions, coworking allows workers of different companies to interact freely.

It facilitates the addition of value to working a lower cost than that which traditional working supports. Seo et al. (2017) attributes the growth of the creative industry in South Korea to the emergence and development of these collaborative working spaces. Furthermore, Fuzi (2015) in his study reveals that coworking spaces are an essential attribute to dealing with entrepreneurship in those regions that are sparse in nature. Another study conducted by Garrett, Spreitzer and Bacevice (2017) reveals that the increasing appreciation of working independently has fueled growth in isolation and social separation. The confines of an office either at home or at the workplace have created psychological challenges to workers which have had an impact on their productivity. The development of coworking spaces have emerged as a solution to the above problems creating an environment that allows workers to interact freely as they also deal with their work requirements.

Garrett, Spreitzer and Bacevice (2017) reveal that coworking has created the community perspective in working building a space that accommodates a large number of people working to achieve different objectives. Evidently, this kind of environment creates a social sphere that sees collaboration result. The level of autonomy created by the system is the major influence for its reliance on the coworking economy to provide the required resources and space. Furthermore, Autio et al. (2017) focusing on digital affordability and spatial affordances discuss the contributions of coworking on entrepreneurial ecosystems. The authors affirm that the developments in technology that have been embraced in coworking environments have provided support in building the entrepreneur ecosystems that support emergency of new developments in the world of business.

Bringing different minds together supports the development of innovations that have not only revolutionized the world but have improved the quality of life and enhanced the competitive advantage of organizations. The refurbishing of offices into open plan settings have seen increased interrelations between employees that have supported collaboration and association between workers. The changes have seen inclusion of creative spaces, lounges, and cafes that have not been part of the traditional office settings. Spreitzer et al. (2015) identify this as an approach that have enabled companies to tap into new technologies and ideas that facilitate the development of a competitive advantage. The approach has also enhanced the attitude of employees through introducing of autonomy and flexibility. Given the nature of data targeted for this research, the epistemological approach was embraced.

The approach was backed by an interpretivist method that was used in evaluating the collected date. The research settled on the use of both primary and secondary data collection avenues. The secondary data as presented in the literature review will provide the research with part of the data based on the views of other scholars of the subject. The primary data collection approaches will allow the introduction of primary data on the contributions that coworking spaces have had on the collaborative abilities of workers and earning them a competitive advantage. The presentation of data outputs from this software will occur in graphs and tables that will enhance an understanding of the influence that coworking has on collaboration and competitiveness in the productivity of employees.

Data The data applicable in this study will include that obtained from primary sources given responses from participants. The data will include information on their views on the trend besides the influence it has on their ability to improve productivity. Questions on the collaborative abilities presented by coworking environments will also be presented giving data for use in understanding the collaboration that user of shared work spaces gain. Also, questions on the competitive effects of coworking environments are also presented giving an advanced understanding of the concept. The level of attitude that coworking has on employees that improves their morale in work enhances their productivity with resulting improvement in performance. The users that are building business also gain room to interact with other people that could end up supporting the idea or even partnering.

The ability of the users of coworking spaces to also interact with possible clients is also an added advantage that this new approach provides. Different groups of people use these spaces with while the products offered by the company could also attract interest from other workers. Furthermore, the traditional working spaces that include home offices and company offices have been seen to social isolate the workers. The second perspective will involve the examination of competition between different companies and the enhancement provided by coworking. Multi-industry Setting The study seeks to obtain primary data and secondary data that examine the ability of workers from different industries working in the same environment sharing resources. The shared resources and operational space has provided possibilities of this occurring with competing companies sharing the same operational space.

The introduction of coworking has influenced a change in perspective on competition with organizations compared to the traditional working spaces that had each company behind the confines of their walls. The social attributes as revealed by the collaboration attribute have also made it possible for workers from competing industries to socialize. , Nambisan, S. , Thomas, L.  D. , & Wright, M. Digital affordances, spatial affordances, and the genesis of entrepreneurial ecosystems. (2014, May).  Exploring the everyday life of entrepreneurs in a coworking space. Paper presented at XXIIIèmeconférenceannuelle de l'AIMS. Foertsch, C. (2015, November 20). The rise of coworking spaces: A literature review.  Emphemera, 193-205. Garrett, L.  E. , Spreitzer, G. , &Korunka, C. Coworking Spaces: A Source of Social Support for Independent Professionals.  Frontiers in Psychology, 7. doi:10.