Transformed knowledge work infrastructures in times of forced remote work

This article investigates support structures for remote knowledge work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The exploratory article defines a novel holistic perspective of knowledge work infrastructures as structures that are embedded in everyday socially organized practices and arrangements which support one's work. Based on an in-depth analysis of semi-structured interviews ( N = 14) of knowledge work professionals in the educational and IT sector, the study delineates which knowledge work infrastructures became prominent in the forced remote knowledge work situation. It discerns seven knowledge work infrastructures – technical, social, pragmatic, epistemic, motivational, well-being, and regulative – with subcategories, and analyses of whether they operated at an individual, group or organizational level, or were based on a general societal transformation. This approach to knowledge work infrastructures offers conceptual means for evaluating the complexity of and interplay between different kinds of remote work support structures which are embedded in the everyday sociomaterial work environment. • A novel theoretical perspective of knowledge work infrastructures (KWIs) is defined based on a natural remote work experiment. • KWIs are modifiable, supporting structures embedded in everyday socially organized working practices and arrangements. • An exploratory study is based on 14 semi-structured interviews conducted with knowledge work professionals. • Seven KWIs are defined: technical, social, pragmatic, epistemic, motivational, well-being, and regulative. • Means for examining support structures in remote work at individual, group, organizational, or societal levels are provided.