Canines and the chemistry of coworking

This chapter explores how coworking, as a form of collaborative consumption that emphasizes community and community building over co-existence, is growing and evolving as a means of organizing work. But as the availability of coworking space expands, the sought-after community aspect of these spaces cannot be taken for granted. This chapter contributes to the literature by examining the ways in which some collaborative consumption-based coworking spaces are using dog-friendly policies as part of community building. The chapter is largely conceptual but is anchored by exploratory qualitative research of four coworking spaces in Central London and Lisbon with dog-friendly policies. Analyses of the data suggest that dogs act as coagulants in the chemistry of coworking by multiplying the opportunities for interactions that have nothing to do with work itself, but that build community and cohesion.