A Semantic Lens on Smart Working: Unpacking the Theoretical Construct

The paper provides a semantic lens on the concept of Smart Working by unpacking its theoretical construct on the basis of the terms scholars have used over the last 30 years of research. Based on a co-words analysis, we detect nine distinctive dimensions of SW (Work dematerialization, HRM practices, Dispersed organization, Work enhancement, Business opportunity, Digital spaces, Inclusivity work, Individual mindfulness, Organizational boundaries) and four promising macro-areas (“Organizational and technological dimension”, “Networking”, “Individual psycho-physical wellness”, and “Social interaction”) that might be of support to scholars interested in deepening specific issues of SW and to practitioners and professionals involved in the definition of organizational policies in the current context. We therefore unveil the relationships among the dimensions and the most frequently addressed terms used in association with the concept of SW, and an overall holistic picture of the SW phenomenon and latent future research areas.