Targeting post-pandemic professional coworking through algorithmic match-and-meet networking

: the case of Rbyte

Abstract

Our society has faced fundamental fluctuations during the global outspread of the Covid pandemic. Correspondingly, the world needed to imply measures and strategies to focus on addressing these deviations. Newly arising technologies for digital connectivity and professional global cooperation have experienced augmentations to support the development of economic gears and the society as a whole. Networking and connecting with colleagues, coworkers, friends and family through digital methods became crucial in sustaining the economic dynamics of corporate employees and entrepreneurs. Especially the networking activities between aspiring professionals form an essential part of the economic and personal development and have signified to be directly linked to accelerated engagement in the work environment. The goal of this study is therefore to build the prototypical model to facilitate personal networking and effective coworking within the private neighborhood through user-matching algorithms. By means of evolving personal networking approaches, this paper introduces Rbyte – the private coworking platform that aims to make effective networking accessible to everyone. The emerging need for private coworking has been strongly expressed by young entrepreneurs and digital nomads between the ages of 18 and 34, as indicated by conducted market research. The willingness to travel and network with other like-minded individuals in private settings forms the basis for the development of the sustainable business model approach in this paper.

Date of Award	6 Jul 2021
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Marta Bicho (Supervisor)