The role of collaborative workspaces in promoting networking opportunities: a comparison between urban and peripheral contexts

This paper aims at assessing the role of collaborative workspaces (CWS) as interaction platforms able to offer networking opportunities on different levels and with a diverse array of stakeholders. Several qualitative studies have emphasised that CWS function as focal points, providing open physical...

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Main Authors: Lorenzo Marmo, Antonis Rovolis, Vasilis Avdikos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Regional Studies, Regional Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21681376.2025.2453572
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author Lorenzo Marmo
Antonis Rovolis
Vasilis Avdikos
author_facet Lorenzo Marmo
Antonis Rovolis
Vasilis Avdikos
author_sort Lorenzo Marmo
collection DOAJ
description This paper aims at assessing the role of collaborative workspaces (CWS) as interaction platforms able to offer networking opportunities on different levels and with a diverse array of stakeholders. Several qualitative studies have emphasised that CWS function as focal points, providing open physical space, materials and social settings which help different actors find specific services, resources and foster their interaction. This study is the first that aims to shed light, through quantitative evidence, upon the main determinants influencing the role of CWS in urban and non-urban areas as platforms for networking opportunities on the following three dimensions: focal point on the local level; wider networks of CWS on the regional, national and international level; relationships with external actors such as medium-large firms, locally-rooted industries and with the third sector. Simple, ordered and multinomial probit models were applied in the econometric analysis using data from a survey directed to managers of CWS in Europe. Results suggest that CWS outside cities are more likely to be part of regional and national networks of similar spaces. Whereas, CWS in cities have a stronger relationship with medium-large firms, non-governmental organisation (NGOs) and they are more likely to participate in networks of CWS on the international level.
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spelling doaj-art-bd0cf6c211e94e5d82b8c1343620a6ea2025-01-31T10:39:02ZengTaylor & Francis GroupRegional Studies, Regional Science2168-13762025-12-01121234210.1080/21681376.2025.2453572The role of collaborative workspaces in promoting networking opportunities: a comparison between urban and peripheral contextsLorenzo Marmo0Antonis Rovolis1Vasilis Avdikos2Department of Economic and Regional Development, Panteion University, Athens, GreeceDepartment of Economic and Regional Development, Panteion University, Athens, GreeceDepartment of Economic and Regional Development, Panteion University, Athens, GreeceThis paper aims at assessing the role of collaborative workspaces (CWS) as interaction platforms able to offer networking opportunities on different levels and with a diverse array of stakeholders. Several qualitative studies have emphasised that CWS function as focal points, providing open physical space, materials and social settings which help different actors find specific services, resources and foster their interaction. This study is the first that aims to shed light, through quantitative evidence, upon the main determinants influencing the role of CWS in urban and non-urban areas as platforms for networking opportunities on the following three dimensions: focal point on the local level; wider networks of CWS on the regional, national and international level; relationships with external actors such as medium-large firms, locally-rooted industries and with the third sector. Simple, ordered and multinomial probit models were applied in the econometric analysis using data from a survey directed to managers of CWS in Europe. Results suggest that CWS outside cities are more likely to be part of regional and national networks of similar spaces. Whereas, CWS in cities have a stronger relationship with medium-large firms, non-governmental organisation (NGOs) and they are more likely to participate in networks of CWS on the international level.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21681376.2025.2453572Networkcollaborationcollaborative workspacesocial impactfocal pointSDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
spellingShingle Lorenzo Marmo
Antonis Rovolis
Vasilis Avdikos
The role of collaborative workspaces in promoting networking opportunities: a comparison between urban and peripheral contexts
Regional Studies, Regional Science
Network
collaboration
collaborative workspace
social impact
focal point
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
title The role of collaborative workspaces in promoting networking opportunities: a comparison between urban and peripheral contexts
title_full The role of collaborative workspaces in promoting networking opportunities: a comparison between urban and peripheral contexts
title_fullStr The role of collaborative workspaces in promoting networking opportunities: a comparison between urban and peripheral contexts
title_full_unstemmed The role of collaborative workspaces in promoting networking opportunities: a comparison between urban and peripheral contexts
title_short The role of collaborative workspaces in promoting networking opportunities: a comparison between urban and peripheral contexts
title_sort role of collaborative workspaces in promoting networking opportunities a comparison between urban and peripheral contexts
topic Network
collaboration
collaborative workspace
social impact
focal point
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21681376.2025.2453572
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