Guest, friend or colleague? Unpacking relationship norms in collaborative workplaces

Abstract

In this chapter, we study how collaborative workspaces influence work in the sharing economy. We compare two types of shared workspaces, coworking and cohoming, and ask how much “co-” is happening within them. Using ethnographic data, we develop a typology of co- activities within collaborative workplaces and expand on the nature of the activities in each space. We discuss the modes of exchange and the relationships emerging within both collaborative workplaces and show how the structures and norms of cohoming and coworking influence these relationships. Collaborative workplaces are increasingly popular; it is critical to understand how they impact work practices, productivity, and well-being. This chapter advances our conceptualization of workspaces within the sharing economy.