Change in the world of work: coworking - future trend or hype? {Trend! Study}

A lot has happened since the first coworking space was founded in San Francisco in 2006: there are now thousands of them worldwide Coworking spaces. A current global study shows: The Working world appears to be undergoing fundamental change. Or is the trend just hype?

Who is behind the study?

The Global Coworking Survey was created in February 2013 by Deskwanted.com. Not only because I was quoted as an expert in the press release of the study, I found this study interesting

Because Deskwanted is a global one Network of coworking spaces and shared offices. People can stay here for a short or long term Workplace on the whole Welt find. In addition to a search and booking system, Deskwanted also offers a web-based management tool for managing workplaces.

Where did the study come from?

Deskwanted therefore largely obtained the data from the first Hand: They come from their own booking system, as well as from social media and news articles. Coworking spaces that offer flexible memberships were counted.

Not counted were companies or individuals who offer vacant space or seminar rooms. The data of the survey publishes Deskwanted.com under a Creative Commons license

Facts at a glance

An overview of the study:

• the first Coworking Space opened 2006 in San Francisco.
• Coworking Spaces are communal offices and rooms used by various independently working people and companies as the main workplace. They are linked by shared values ​​and complementary abilities.
• Coworkers are self-responsible in changing projects and are mainly self-employed or entrepreneurs.
• Internet, work desk, coffee machine, conference room, telephone and printer belong to the basic equipment of most Coworking Spaces.
• According to their own statement, coworkers work more productively, more creatively and profit from diverse contacts and networks in coworking spaces.
• There are 2498 Coworking Spaces worldwide in 80 countries.
• In Germany, there are 222 Coworking Spaces, most of them exist in Berlin (68).
• The price for a desk in Germany starts at ten euros per day and is on average at 191 Euro per month.
• The latest coworking spaces opened 2013 in Senegal and Jordan.

Coworking - Future Trend or Hype?

It all sounds great - but I'm a little skeptical. It is true - as I am also quoted in the press release - that the general trend is towards changeable employment biographies and especially for Boy Companys the order situation is often still too uncertain to get an expensive one Office for rent or fixed Employees set. And of course it sounds logical, coworking as flexible Alternatives compared to conventional office work.

But if I now look at the coworking spaces that I have been scrutinizing worldwide for years, then it becomes clear: whether in New Zealand, Canada, Latvia or France, I have always observed that coworking spaces were founded because the owners , usually freelancers, the blanket on the home Head had fallen.

Productive and Inspirational?

Not a single coworking space owner gave me the key idea of ​​being more productive with others or needing more inspiration. These aspects usually only crystallized over time, or they were mainly one from the start Marketing-argument to customers to attract

I suppose now simply that the common, more productive work is not the ultimate purpose of these collaborative forms of work. For many, it's just about being with others. And that raises the question: Is co-working perhaps just a hype that comes to a standstill after some time - for example, because people prefer solid office space and forms of work?