IBS Lunchtime Research Seminar - Temporary Colocation in Remote Firms: How Choice-Constrained Colocation Fosters Connection Across Demographic Divides

You are cordially invited to attend an International Business and Strategy Departmental Research Meeting, during which there will be a presentation by Raj Choudury, LSE. A reminder that attendance for IBS (full time, research oriented) staff and full-time students is compulsory, and where possible, must be in person. Individuals unable to attend in person, due to legitimate reasons will be provided a Teams link on request. Non-IBS staff are welcome to attend. If you have not received the email invite please email Angie Clark

Please join us in Room 208, Henley Business School.

Please make sure you let me know in advance if you intend to attend in person so that the correct amount of catering is booked.

Date: Wednesday13th May 2026, HBS Room 208

Time: 13.00 - 14.30

How do temporary colocation opportunities shape virtual connections among diverse remote workers? We examine this question using unique data from a fully remote firm, analyzing how a company-wide retreat—and quasi-randomly assigned shared taxi rides during the retreat—affect subsequent virtual interactions between pairs of employees. We find that while retreat co-attendance increases the likelihood of subsequent virtual connections, this effect is weaker for demographically dissimilar pairs. However, when demographically dissimilar pairs shared a taxi, this gap disappeared: the brief period of choice-constrained colocation effectively removed demographic barriers to subsequent connection. These findings highlight that it is not colocation alone, but the design of interaction opportunities—particularly those that limit individual choice—that fosters diverse connections among remote workers. Our study thus advances theories of remote work, temporary colocation, and organizational inclusion.