Collaboration and Coordination in Networks of Work – Phase 2: Hybrid Workgroups and Workspaces

Universität Koblenz

Projekthintergrund

The goal of our project 2C-NOW2 is to continue to apply the concepts, methods and findings achieved in Phase 1 (2C-NOW) and deepen our current understandings and theorisations of emerging collaborative work routines and coordinative practices in data-rich, networked environments. First, we build on our trace analytics work to extend our methodological toolkit through the design of trace ethnographic methods and tools.

Second, we develop in-depth empirical studies of recent transformations to work routines and work practices arising from the growth in hybrid work and hybrid workgroups in organisations. Together, these provide both empirical evidence and insights into how new arrangements for hybrid work are transforming working worlds and enable rich contextual analyses of hybrid workgroups and emerging coordinative practices.

Fragestellung des Projekts

Our objectives are to 1) develop and apply digital ethnographic methods to provide rich contextual analyses of the rhythms and flows of everyday work in hybrid and distributed work settings, 2) analyse and understand emerging sequences of coordination work to identify emerging work routines and patterns of interaction in hybrid and distributed workgroups, and 3) to examine the ways that technologies and artefacts are mobilised in the design of digital workspaces.

In doing so, we contribute to theorisations of how working worlds are changing and how workgroups, workspaces and work routines are being shaped, standardised and embedded over time.

Empirisches Vorgehen

Through our university-industry research initiative (IndustryConnect) we have, over the past ten years, been following the emergence and design of digital workplaces in a group of more than 35 DACH organisations. In 2C-NOW2, we continue to work closely with these organisations to develop longitudinal digital workplace case studies. Through further interviews, surveys and focus group methods, we will gather organisational data about hybrid workgroups and hybrid working arrangements.

In addition, innovative digital ethnographic methods in the form of digital hybrid work diaries and work visualisation methods will be developed and used to capture, visualise and analyse new forms of rich, longitudinal data about the everyday rhythms and work routines of distributed and hybrid workgroups.