Senso de comunidade em organizações: um framework para analisar experiências em grupos de pesquisa e coworking

Abstract

The weakening of social ties in work and study organizations has contributed to the social isolation and mental illness development on individuals. To overcome this, many individuals seek to work in coworking spaces and to join research and studies groups, where they can find support and social belonging. Considering that the sense of community is defined as a feeling of belonging to a group and knowing that the members of that group cares for each other, this research aimed to analyze if there is a sense of community in research groups and coworkings to understand its nature and dynamics. For this, two qualitative case studies were carried out, in which was analyzed how members of a coworking space and of research group experiences the sense of community. The data found in the field - from the methods of observation, semistructured interviewing and documentary analysis - presented three main facts that contribute to the experience of the sense of community: flexible boundaries to adherence the group (flexible membership); the acceptance by the group of different levels and type of participation, active (showing member´s sense of ownership) and passive participation (showing member´s sense of belonging); and the fulfillment of member´s needs by community resources. As members meet their needs, they develop a sense of community for the organization.