Work practice among advanced producer service firms – project work in space-time

Abstract

This article is an explorative investigation of a sample of advanced producer service (APS) companies located in Stockholm (the capital and main urban centre of Sweden). The discussion is centred on aspects of work practice and how this is conditioned by space-time constraints. These space-time constraints refer to coupling, authority and capability constraints which are concepts framed in a time-geography approach. Although time-geography is primarily engaged in mapping presence and locations in time-space, its concepts of constraints embrace physical, social and cultural factors. The article presents an empirical in-depth study of project work and work practice among a selection of APS companies. A micro-approach to work practice has been pursued using a multi-method strategy and time-geography methodology including time diaries, interviews and a questionnaire. The experiences among the investigated companies of time-geography constraints make the constant negotiations for the practice of work among these organizations intelligible. To the extent these investigated companies may be considered representative of advanced services more generally, the presence of pressing constraints helps to explain the more general structure of this industry of high labour turnover and rapid company re-structuring processes.