Title: Creative and knowledge-intensive teleworkers' relation to e-capital in the Helsinki metropolitan area

Authors: Maria Merisalo; Teemu Makkonen; Tommi Inkinen

Addresses: Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014, Finland ' Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014, Finland; The Pan-European Institute, Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Rehtorinpellonkatu 3, FI-20014, Finland ' Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014, Finland

Abstract: This paper examines the extent to which teleworkers in the Helsinki metropolitan area (HMA) fit the profile of knowledge or creative workers. Furthermore, the concept of electronic capital (e-capital), referring to the use of ICT, electronic services and social media, is redefined and applied in relation to teleworkers. The data were gathered through a stratified postal survey (n = 971) conducted in the HMA in 2010. Statistical testing indicated no difference in terms of knowledge intensity, creativity and e-capital between 'home-anchored' workers and mobile or part-time teleworkers. However, a significant difference was noted between teleworkers and non-teleworkers. The results reveal the complexity of telework in both a theoretical and empirical context. The paper also points to the significance of e-capital in relation to telework, networking and the creating and maintaining of social relations, supporting the theoretical proposition of e-capital.

Keywords: Helsinki; Finland; metropolitan areas; social media; knowledge intensity; creativity; creative teleworkers; knowledge-intensive teleworkers; e-capital; electronic capital; social capital; human capital; ICT; electronic services; e-services; networking; social relations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKBD.2013.055870

International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, 2013 Vol.4 No.3, pp.204 - 221

Received: 05 Dec 2011
Accepted: 30 Oct 2012
Published online: 31 Mar 2014 *

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