'Becoming mainstream': The professionalization and corporatization of digital nomadism

Aroles, J.; Granter, E.; de Vaujany, F.X.

Abstract

Digital nomadism, a mobile lifestyle that encompasses a wide array of professional endeavours, ranging from corporate remote workers to digital entrepreneurs, has benefitted from a steadily growing appeal. Despite this, there is a dearth of research exploring the premises and development of digital nomadism. This paper is concerned with the image of digital nomadism, its underlying structure and practices, and its relation to the current world of work. In order to explore these aspects and problematise digital nomadism, the paper traces the development of digital nomadism and takes inspiration from the Deleuzo‐Guattarian image of the nomad. Adopting a qualitative approach to content analysis, this paper argues that digital nomadism is becoming increasingly institutionalised and professionalised, and, as such, is distant from the emancipatory dimension underlying its discourse and many of its cultural representations. Overall, digital nomadism appears as an extension of capitalist logics, rather than an alternative to them.

Citation

Aroles, J., Granter, E., & de Vaujany, F. (2020). 'Becoming mainstream': The professionalization and corporatization of digital nomadism. New Technology, Work and Employment, 35(1), 114-129. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12158

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 26, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jan 15, 2020
• Publication Date: Mar 31, 2020
• Deposit Date: Nov 28, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 15, 2022
• Journal: New Technology, Work and Employment
• Print ISSN: 0268-1072
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-005X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 114-129
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12158
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1282425