Le coworking : un dispositif pour sortir de l’isolement ?

Abstract

In this article, we analyze two contemporary processes rarely connected. On the one hand, commercial and non-profit organizations experience recurring changes that lead some employees to become isolated. On the other hand, at the same time, many initiatives lead to open coworking spaces, presented by their proponents as original forms of work organization to cooperate and build relationships. Can we then see a solution to help employees to get out of isolation? To answer, we first define what we call isolation (its dynamics, its characteristics) and recall the consequences of exposure to prolonged isolation conditions (in matter of health and safety). We then analyze the characteristics of coworking spaces and emphasize the diversity of practices hidden beyond the “buzz”. Among these practices, we describe the different forms of sociability deployed in these kinds of spaces, and identify those that are most likely to help employees to get out of isolation. Finally, we examine under what conditions these reflections could be used to develop a model of organization, internalized in large companies, and also under what conditions they could help employees to break their isolation.

Keywords

• isolation
• work organization
• coworking
• sociability
• company