The impacts of working space on productivity of young freelancers in the creative industries in the Czech Republic

Ngoc Mai Nguyen

Master's thesis

The Impacts of Working Space on The Productivity of Freelancers in The Creative Industries in The Czech Republic

Abstract:

Working from home has gained popularity across the globe, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic happened. Nonetheless, with the advancement of technology, the home office has been a popular choice for self-employed individuals in the creative industries for a long time. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was to investigate how working environments, particularly home offices, affect the productivity of freelancers in the Czech Republic's creative industries. The study was based on a thorough review of the literature and qualitative research that took place in the form of semi-structured interviews with 12 independent creatives who occasionally work from home. The results demonstrate that the working environment significantly impacts the self-perceived productivity of independent creatives. Different aspects of a home office, such as comfort, ergonomics, lighting, windows, outside views, indoor plants, noise, appearance, and organization, can influence how productive a freelancer is. Furthermore, numerous distractions come with working from home because it is also a space for personal life; thus, it is essential to establish boundaries. Some suggestions are made to help independent creatives maintain their concentration and productivity while working from home.

Abstract:

Working from home has gained popularity across the globe, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic happened. Nonetheless, with the advancement of technology, the home office has been a popular choice for self-employed individuals in the creative industries for a long time. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was to investigate how working environments, particularly home offices, affect the productivity of freelancers in the Czech Republic's creative industries. The study was based on a thorough review of the literature and qualitative research that took place in the form of semi-structured interviews with 12 independent creatives who occasionally work from home. The results demonstrate that the working environment significantly impacts the self-perceived productivity of independent creatives. Different aspects of a home office, such as comfort, ergonomics, lighting, windows, outside views, indoor plants, noise, appearance, and organization, can influence how productive a freelancer is. Furthermore, numerous distractions come with working from home because it is also a space for personal life; thus, it is essential to establish boundaries. Some suggestions are made to help independent creatives maintain their concentration and productivity while working from home.

Keywords

Home office, Czech Republic, remote work, productivity, workspace design, freelancers, creative industries

Keywords

Home office, remote work, workspace design, productivity, freelancers, creative industries, Czech Republic

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 13. 5. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 5. 6. 2023
• Supervisor: Marko Orel
• Reader: Ivana Lukeš Rybanská

Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze

Master programme:
Management