Collaboration in coworking spaces and the role of community managers. A comparison between coworking spaces in Prague and Munich.

Simon Hohage

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This thesis aims to explore the social and efficiency aspects of coworking while focusing on the role of the community managers in it. Building on existing research of the topic, this thesis asks: What role community managers play in facilitating social interaction and how do they support their users. Furthermore, it investigates whether coworking triggered higher productivity and inspiration amongst coworkers. The analysis is based on an in-depth literature review and a mixed method research design analyzing six coworking spaces in Prague and Munich while surveying twenty-six coworkers. The findings demonstrate that community managers play a key role in facilitating social interaction and supporting users by organizing social events and maintaining a fruitful workplace and community. Coworkers confirm higher productivity in coworking space while remaining neutral about being more inspired.

Abstract:

This thesis aims to explore the social and efficiency aspects of coworking while focusing on the role of the community managers in it. Building on existing research of the topic, this thesis asks: What role community managers play in facilitating social interaction and how do they support their users. Furthermore, it investigates whether coworking triggered higher productivity and inspiration amongst coworkers. The analysis is based on an in-depth literature review and a mixed method research design analyzing six coworking spaces in Prague and Munich while surveying twenty-six coworkers. The findings demonstrate that community managers play a key role in facilitating social interaction and supporting users by organizing social events and maintaining a fruitful workplace and community. Coworkers confirm higher productivity in coworking space while remaining neutral about being more inspired.

Keywords

Productivity, Management Support, Community Management, Social Interaction

Keywords

Management Support, Community Management, Social Interaction, Productivity

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 16. 12. 2018

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 11. 6. 2019
• Supervisor: Marko Orel
• Reader: Michal Andera

Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze

Master programme / field:
Ekonomika a management / International Management