Teleworking and the Countryside. An explorative thesis regarding telework as an enabler for residential relocations and life in the countryside

Abstract

The research on teleworking, and its spatial implications, is well explored. However, anticipations of a rising diffusion of teleworking never really got actualised, until a global pandemic emerged, and redrew the map of teleworking considerably. In current times of an exciting situation, in the research field around teleworking, this thesis draws on the relationship between teleworking and residential relocations, with an extra focus on relocations targeted the countryside. Two methods are utilised to carry out the research, one is quantitative, and one is qualitative. A more comprehensive statistical analysis is based on a survey, and a more in-depth thematic analysis is based on semi-structured interviews. Theoretically, this thesis draws on residential mobility, with a primary focus on the access-space tradeoff theory. The empirical findings show that current teleworking trends are by many both perceived and experienced as an enabling factor when it comes to residential relocations. Research have long pointed to that specific correlation, but given the earlier low diffusion levels of teleworking, the flexibility of working remotely from the regular workplace has not been raised as a valid factor in residential relocations. Findings also draws on that teleworking are perceived as a facilitating factor regarding work and everyday life, not least it applies to countryside dwellers. Further, it is emphasized that there is a strong potential regarding teleworking, and the circumstances that comes with it, to be a contributing factor for a living countryside.