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The re-regulation of working communities and relationships in the context of flexwork: A spacing identity approach

Author

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  • Michel Ajzen
  • Laurent Taskin

    (Louvain School of Management Research Institute (ILSM) - Louvain School of Management Research Institute (ILSM))

Abstract

Existing studies on flexwork stress its individualizing inclination by showing how it gives autonomy to employees, boosts individual productivity, or supports personal well-being at the expense of group cohesiveness, social ties and other characteristics of the "collective" in organizations. Obviously, flexwork both continues and contributes to an individualization process of working activities and relationships. But, how exactly does flexwork re-regulate working relationships and communities? Is the "collective" irremediably damaged and doomed to disappear? Building on a case study conducted in an insurance company having implemented flexwork, we observe invisibilized employees working from diverse premises (e.g., home, office, etc.) initiating alternative ways of staying united and close. This article shows the re-regulation of these working relationships and communities' through a collective identity process involving de/re-spacing identity; i.e., the spatial and material aspects of flexible work in relation to identity.

Suggested Citation

  • Michel Ajzen & Laurent Taskin, 2021. "The re-regulation of working communities and relationships in the context of flexwork: A spacing identity approach," Post-Print halshs-03345447, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-03345447
    DOI: 10.1016/j.infoandorg.2021.100364
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-03345447
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lena Waizenegger & Kai Schaedlich & Bill Doolin, 2023. "Sociomateriality in Action," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 65(3), pages 235-257, June.
    2. Estelle Michinov & Caroline Ruiller & Frédérique Chédotel & Virginie Dodeler & Nicolas Michinov, 2022. "Work-From-Home During COVID-19 Lockdown: When Employees’ Well-Being and Creativity Depend on Their Psychological Profiles," Post-Print hal-03671607, HAL.
    3. Gupta, Parul & Prashar, Anupama & Giannakis, Mihalis & Dutot, Vincent & Dwivedi, Yogesh K., 2022. "How organizational socialization occurring in virtual setting unique: A longitudinal study of socialization," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    4. Leo Bancou, 2024. "Towards a ‘vulnerable co-presence’ for hybrid ways of working: Recasting the nexus of co-presence and vulnerability with Merleau-Ponty and Butler," Post-Print hal-04669731, HAL.
    5. Julian Marx & Stefan Stieglitz & Felix Brünker & Milad Mirbabaie, 2023. "Home (Office) is where your Heart is," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 65(3), pages 293-308, June.
    6. Miao, Li & Yang, Fiona X. & Im, Jinyoung & Zhang, Qiao, 2024. "Flexwork and flextravel," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).

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    Keywords

    flexwork; collective identity; spacing identity; regulation; working communities; working relationships;
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