From Presence to Multipresence: Mobile Knowledge Workers’ Densified Hours

Johanna Koroma, Matti Vartiainen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Mobile information and communication technologies enable knowledge workers to be available 24/7 irrespective of boundaries or locations. Technology-enabled ‘multipresence’ allows workers to be simultaneously present in physical, virtual, and social spaces while working across boundaries in multiple locations and on the move. Drawing from sociomateriality and social presence theory, this chapter argues that a ‘multipresence’ strategy is selected because of ubiquitous availability expectations, the sheer volume of received emails, their potential urgency, and the pursuit of the feeling of being in control of work. The experienced benefits of multipresence include the efficient use of time and flexibility of work, whereas the perceived costs include concentration difficulties, stress, work–life balance management challenges, and decreases in productivity.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe New Normal of Working Lives
Subtitle of host publicationCritical Studies in Contemporary Work and Employment
EditorsStephanie Taylor, Susan Luckman
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Pages171-200
Number of pages30
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-66038-7
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-66037-0
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2017
MoE publication typeA3 Book section, Chapters in research books

Publication series

NameDynamics of Virtual Work
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'From Presence to Multipresence: Mobile Knowledge Workers’ Densified Hours'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this