Pacesetters in contemporary telework: How smartphones and mediated presence reshape the time-space rhythms of daily work

We examine how mobile information and communication technologies (ICTs) and mediated interaction transform daily work activity in contemporary, extended telework. We expand on the concepts of mediated bundles and pacesetters to understand how the rhythms and employee control of work activity change. We draw on in-depth interviews with 22 teleworkers with varying skills and work tasks. We find that mobile technology not only relaxes the time-space constraints of telework but fosters countering processes of recoupling and fixity. New ICTs shift the relative importance of individually defined and work-related pacesetters. The rhythm of daily work is increasingly set by horizontal interaction between spatially dispersed coworkers. It is informally regulated through practices of the continuous-mediated interweaving of workflows and synchronised responsivity in relation to changing work intensity. Highly qualified teleworkers more often signal that they are in control and setting the pace compared to less qualified.

Automated summary

The study found that mobile technology not only relaxes the time and space constraints of remote work, but also fosters a counteractive process of restructuring and solidifying. New ICTs change the relative importance of individually defined and work-related pacesetters. Highly skilled teleworkers are more likely to indicate that they are in control and setting the pace, compared to less skilled workers.