Digital Nomads Making Boundaries: A Practice-Based Exploration of Human-Technology Interactions
Authors: Rainoldi, M., Ladkin, A., Buhalis, D.
Journal: Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics
Publication Date: 01/01/2026
Volume: 24
Pages: 215-230
eISSN: 2198-7254
ISSN: 2198-7246
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-23925-9_15
Abstract:Digital nomadism represents a rapidly evolving phenomenon driven by the mainstream application of digital technology for remote work, reshaping mobility and the traditional conceptions of work-life boundaries. This study addresses a persistent gap in digital-nomadism research. Boundary management is often portrayed descriptively, with limited theorization of how human–technology interactions produce specific boundary configurations in practice by investigating the sociomaterial elements that underpin them. Drawing on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and digital diaries with digital nomads, the study identifies a repertoire of practical principles—individual-oriented (discipline, selfness, hedonism, privacy/security, public image, stimulation, technological attachment) and activity-oriented (involvement, priority)—that intertwine with technology’s practical affordances (border-setting autonomy, border actionability, domain presence, and border tangibility) to produce distinctive work-life boundary configurations. The paper concludes by discussing the implications for the study of digital nomadism and providing practical insights for the tourism sector.
Source: Scopus