‘Do I Belong Here, There, or Elsewhere?’ : The Materiality and Intangible Benefits of Technology in Digital Nomads' Place-Belongingness

Abstract

The advent of digital technology has contributed to experiencing liquid lifestyles and flexible work arrangements with different mobility routes and targets. Escaping the exhausting routine of commuting to and from work has been a key driver of digital nomadism, a phenomenon that has become increasingly widespread across the globe and is often centered around cross-border travel and expatriate settlement. Due to their frequent mobility, digital nomads face unique challenges in fostering a sense of place-belongingness compared to most other types of workers. Despite the popularity of digital nomadic work/life in the current public discourse, there is no standardized guidebook for understanding how digital technology already supports or could potentially support the sense of place-belongingness among these voluntary migrants. Motivated by this line of research, in our paper, we propose an initial guide with practical methodological considerations on how to investigate this phenomenon using qualitative and quantitative materials. Such studies can assist strategists and organizations in attracting new talent and fostering more inclusive environments.