Digital nomadism as a new part of the visitor economy: The case of the "digital nomad capital" Chiang Mai, Thailand
数字游民主义作为游客经济的新组成部分：“数字游民之都”泰国清迈的案例

${}^1$${}^1$^(1){ }^{1} School of Information Systems, Technology and Management, Business School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
${}^1$${}^1$^(1){ }^{1} 新南威尔士大学悉尼商学院信息系统、技术与管理学院， 澳大利亚， 悉尼
${}^2$${}^2$^(2){ }^{2} Business Information Systems, Business School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
${}^2$${}^2$^(2){ }^{2} 悉尼大学商学院商业信息系统，澳大利亚悉尼
${}^3$${}^3$^(3){ }^{3} Management Information Systems, Business School and Center of Excellent in Operations and Information Management, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand
${}^3$${}^3$^(3){ }^{3} 泰国曼谷泰国国立法政大学商学院和运营与信息管理卓越中心管理信息系统

Daniel Schlagwein, Business Information Systems, Business School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Daniel Schlagwein，澳大利亚悉尼大学商学院商业信息系统。
Email: schlagwein@sydney.edu.au
电子邮件：schlagwein@sydney.edu.au

Australian Research Council, Grant/Award Number: DP190102780; Thammasat University (ASEAN Bualuang fellowship); UNSW Sydney (Scientia scholarship)
澳大利亚研究委员会，资助/奖励编号：DP190102780;泰国国立法政大学（ASEAN Bualuang Fellowship）;新南威尔士大学悉尼分校 （Scientia 奖学金）

cultural, economic and technological impacts and how locals in Chiang Mai evaluate digital nomads differently compared to other types of visitors. This research, grounded in an indepth case study, contributes to a better understanding of digital nomadism by offering new knowledge about its ambivalent impacts on local communities. We also discuss contributions to the wider literature and implications for policy.
文化、经济和技术影响，以及清迈当地人如何与其他类型的游客不同地评价数字游民。这项研究以深入的案例研究为基础，通过提供有关数字游牧对当地社区的矛盾影响的新知识，有助于更好地了解数字游牧。我们还讨论了对更广泛文献的贡献和对政策的影响。

Chiang Mai, digital nomadism, digital work, interpretive case study, local communities, visitor economy
清迈， 数字游牧， 数字工作， 解释性案例研究， 当地社区， 游客经济

Digital nomadism is an emerging lifestyle, a way of working and living that combines digital work with nomadic globetrotting. It has seen substantial growth in recent years, with a significant rise in individuals, especially in favoured locations such as Chiang Mai, ${}^1$${}^1$^(1){ }^{1} as well as in businesses and facilities catering specifically to this mobile lifestyle (Descalsota, 2022; Schlagwein, 2018a). From the perspective of local communities visited, digital nomads present a novel type of visitor and, thus, part of their visitor economies-the focus of this special issue and our study.
数字游牧是一种新兴的生活方式，一种将数字工作与游牧环球旅行相结合的工作和生活方式。近年来，它出现了大幅增长，个人人数显着增加，尤其是在清迈等受青睐的地方， ${}^1$${}^1$^(1){ }^{1} 以及专门迎合这种移动生活方式的企业和设施（Descalsota，2022 年;Schlagwein，2018a）。从所访问的当地社区的角度来看，数字游牧民族呈现了一种新型的访客，因此，他们成为访客经济的一部分——这是本特刊和我们研究的重点。

A digital nomad is a “globally travelling” digital worker. Hence, prior studies in the information systems (IS) literature research on digital nomadism are within the wider context of “digital work” and “future of work” (Ahuja et al., 2023; Schlagwein, 2018b; Wang et al., 2020). Prior IS literature on digital work discusses how various forms of information technology (IT) enable the work of teleworkers, remote workers and mobile workers (O’Leary et al., 2014; Tarafdar & Saunders, 2022; Waizenegger et al., 2020). The central themes of prior research on digital work are organisational implications (Carillo et al., 2021; van der Meulen et al., 2019) and worker productivity (Chen, 2018; Tams et al., 2020). The nomadic travel lifestyle aspect, however, sets digital nomadism apart from other types of digital work. Further (readers and reviewers found this a striking point), digital nomadism as studied here provides an opportunity the reflect on the current, exclusive focus of this literature on digital workers and organisations only (Atasoy et al., 2021; Wang et al., 2020): we show that digital work also impacts third-parties, such as the local communities worldwide now hosting digital nomads (i.e., this is to suggest the current focus might be too narrow).
数字游民是“全球旅行”的数字工作者。因此，信息系统 （IS） 文献中关于数字游牧主义的先前研究是在“数字工作”和“工作的未来”的更广泛背景下进行的（Ahuja 等人，2023 年;Schlagwein， 2018b;Wang et al.， 2020）。之前关于数字工作的 IS 文献讨论了各种形式的信息技术 （IT） 如何支持远程工作者、远程工作者和移动工作者的工作（O'Leary 等人，2014 年;Tarafdar & Saunders， 2022;Waizenegger等人，2020 年）。先前数字工作研究的中心主题是组织影响（Carillo et al.， 2021;van der Meulen et al.， 2019）和工人生产力（Chen， 2018;Tams et al.， 2020）。然而，游牧旅行生活方式方面使数字游牧与其他类型的数字工作区分开来。此外（读者和评论者认为这是一个引人注目的观点），这里研究的数字游牧主义提供了一个机会，可以反思这些文献当前仅关注数字工作者和组织（Atasoy 等人，2021 年;Wang et al.， 2020）：我们表明数字工作也会影响第三方，例如现在全球接收数字游民的当地社区（即，这表明当前的关注点可能太狭窄）。

A digital nomad is also a “digitally-working” global traveller. As with other travellers, their impact is felt within local communities worldwide, including regions such as Asia and Latin America, with digital nomads integrating into their chosen destinations’ visitor economies (Schlagwein, 2018a; 2018b). Given the existing classifications in the tourism and visitor economy literature, digital nomads can be seen as a subtype of “non-institutionalised” (independent) traveller (Cohen, 1972; Cohen, 1973; Plog, 1974). However, digital nomads’ unique behaviours and interactions set them apart from other visitor types. Digital nomads uniquely leverage the digitalisation of work to enable their travels (Hong, 2021) and use unique facilities such as coliving spaces and coworking spaces (Jiwasiddi et al., 2022). Therefore, digital nomads may be best understood and regulated as a digitally-enabled novel part of the visitor
数字游民也是“数字工作”的全球旅行者。与其他旅行者一样，他们的影响力遍及世界各地的当地社区，包括亚洲和拉丁美洲等地区，数字游民融入了他们选择的目的地的游客经济（Schlagwein，2018a;2018b）。鉴于旅游和游客经济文献中的现有分类，数字游牧民族可以被视为“非制度化”（独立）旅行者的一个子类型（Cohen，1972 年;Cohen， 1973;Plog，1974 年）。然而，数字游民独特的行为和互动使他们有别于其他访客类型。数字游牧民独特地利用工作的数字化来支持他们的旅行（Hong，2021 年），并使用独特的设施，例如共同生活空间和联合办公空间（Jiwasiddi et al.，2022）。因此，数字游牧民可能最好被理解和监管为访问者的数字新部分

economy of digital nomad destinations, as reflected in the growing trend of countries introducing “digital nomad visas” ${}^2$${}^2$^(2){ }^{2} in 2022/23.
数字游民目的地的经济性，反映在 2022/23 年国家引入“数字游民签证” ${}^2$${}^2$^(2){ }^{2} 的增长趋势中。

The purpose of the study reported in this paper is to explore the characteristics and impacts of digital nomads as a relevant part of the visitor economies of local communities. The research approach deviates from the traditional Western, nomad-centric narrative, instead focusing on the local communities’ (often Eastern, in this case, Thai) perspective. By adopting a local lens, the study generates insights beneficial for future researchers and local policymakers. This knowledge is important given that the visitor economy generates substantial work opportunities and contributes to local development (Hall & Page, 2000b; Hampton & Hamzah, 2010; Trupp & Dolezal, 2020). In alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) (United Nations, 2015), despite little empirical work available, digital nomadic remote workers may, prima facie, represent a more “sustainable” visitor type, providing unique benefits for local communities and their visitor economies (Chevtaeva, 2021; Choudry, 2022). Specifically, digital nomadism may support the UNSDG goal to “eradicate poverty and create economic growth” in developing nations (United Nations, 2015). Inspired by this prospect, the current study offers an in-depth case examination of the comprehensive impacts of digital nomadism on local communities. A better understanding and the new knowledge presented will ultimately contribute to creating more sustainable visitor economies (in line with the UNSDG goal and the focus of this special issue).
本文报告的研究的目的是探讨数字游牧民族作为当地社区游客经济相关组成部分的特点和影响。研究方法偏离了传统的西方、以游牧民族为中心的叙述，而是关注当地社区（通常是东方人，在这种情况下是泰国人）的视角。通过采用本地视角，该研究产生了对未来的研究人员和当地政策制定者有益的见解。鉴于游客经济创造了大量的工作机会，并为当地发展做出了贡献，这种知识非常重要（Hall & Page， 2000b;Hampton & Hamzah， 2010;Trupp & Dolezal，2020）。根据联合国可持续发展目标 （UNSDG）（联合国，2015 年），尽管可用的实证工作很少，但数字游牧远程工作者从表面上看可能代表一种更“可持续”的游客类型，为当地社区及其游客经济提供独特的好处（Chevtaeva，2021 年;Choudry，2022 年）。具体来说，数字游牧可能支持 UNSDG 在发展中国家“消除贫困和创造经济增长”的目标（联合国，2015 年）。受这一前景的启发，本研究对数字游牧对当地社区的综合影响进行了深入的案例研究。更好的理解和呈现的新知识最终将有助于创造更可持续的游客经济（符合 UNSDG 目标和本特刊的重点）。

The digital nomad literature, to date, has provided little on whether digital nomadism should be encouraged from the perspectives of local communities’ interests. The studies that are available present mixed and contradictory views. As a new visitor category, digital nomads show great potential (Allen & Choudhury, 2022), yet also pose significant challenges (Bozzi, 2020; McElroy, 2019; Thompson, 2019). Overall, the implications for local communities are still unclear. Existing studies have almost always focused on the digital nomads themselves, not the local communities (Haking, 2018; McElroy, 2019; Thompson, 2019; Wang et al., 2020). The travel and tourism literature provides detailed case studies of other visitor types, including their impacts on local communities. Yet, this literature has not substantially explored the specific implications of digital nomads as digitally working travellers (Hannonen, 2020) and has generally entirely ignored the digital business and IT knowledge aspects that appear to be an important part of digital nomadism. In short, our understanding of digital nomadism’s impact on local communities is lacking, particularly in the context of alternative visitor economies and corresponding policy options.
迄今为止，数字游民文献几乎没有提供关于是否应该从当地社区利益的角度鼓励数字游民。现有的研究提出了混合和矛盾的观点。作为一个新的访客类别，数字游牧民族显示出巨大的潜力（Allen & Choudhury，2022），但也构成了重大挑战（Bozzi，2020;McElroy，2019 年;Thompson，2019 年）。总体而言，对当地社区的影响仍不清楚。现有的研究几乎总是集中在数字游牧民本身，而不是当地社区（Haking，2018 年;McElroy，2019 年;Thompson，2019 年;Wang et al.， 2020）。旅行和旅游文献提供了其他游客类型的详细案例研究，包括它们对当地社区的影响。然而，这些文献并没有实质性地探讨数字游民作为数字工作旅行者的具体影响（Hannonen，2020 年），并且通常完全忽视了数字业务和 IT 知识方面，这似乎是数字游民主义的重要组成部分。简而言之，我们对数字游牧对当地社区的影响缺乏了解，尤其是在替代游客经济和相应政策选择的背景下。

Hence, in our study, we seek to answer the following research questions: What are the impacts of digital nomadism on local communities? How do digital nomads compare to other visitor types within the visitor economy of a local community? These questions are explored in the context of the local community and visitor economy of Chiang Mai, Thailand, reportedly one of the largest digital nomad hubs (Thompson, 2021b; Woldoff & Litchfield, 2021) and often called “the digital nomad capital” (Thai PBS World, 2019). Chiang Mai’s good infrastructure, moderate climate, low costs and welcoming locals have made it a prime destination for digital nomad visitors (Green, 2020; Thompson, 2021b) and, thus, an interesting research site.
因此，在我们的研究中，我们试图回答以下研究问题：数字游牧对当地社区有什么影响？数字游民与当地社区访客经济中的其他访客类型相比如何？这些问题在泰国清迈的当地社区和游客经济的背景下进行了探讨，据报道，清迈是最大的数字游牧中心之一（Thompson，2021b;Woldoff & Litchfield，2021年），并且通常被称为“数字游牧之都（泰国PBS世界，2019年）。清迈良好的基础设施、适宜的气候、低成本和热情的当地人使其成为数字游牧游客的首选目的地（Green，2020 年;Thompson，2021b），因此，这是一个有趣的研究网站。

Specifically, we conducted an in-depth, longitudinal, interpretive case study of Chiang Mai, reported on in this paper. While backpackers, tourists and expats have been around in Chiang Mai for decades (Çakmak et al., 2018; Dearden, 1991; Lauzon, 2010), the digital nomadism trend, enabled by digital work, emerged more recently (from about 2015) (Choudhury, 2022; Schlagwein, 2018b). Early in the case analysis, it became clear that the local community did not evaluate digital nomadism in isolation or in relation to Western or global perspectives. Instead, their concerns centred on how particular visitor types, compared to others, had different impacts (or promise to have such impacts in the future) on their local community and visitor economy, which, in turn, influenced their views and strategies. This local perspective guided the final framing of our second research question. Two significant events (i.e., a sudden surge in mass tourism; and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic) provided both local participants and, consequently, our research with the opportunity to clearly differentiate and compare the impacts of these
具体来说，我们对清迈进行了深入的、纵向的、解释性的案例研究，本文对此进行了报道。虽然背包客、游客和外籍人士已经在清迈生活了几十年（Çakmak 等人，2018 年;Dearden， 1991;Lauzon，2010 年），由数字工作推动的数字游牧趋势最近出现（大约从 2015 年开始）（Choudhury，2022 年;Schlagwein，2018b）。在案例分析的早期，很明显，当地社区并没有孤立地评估数字游民主义，也没有从西方或全球的角度来评估数字游民主义。相反，他们关心的重点是，与其他游客类型相比，特定游客类型如何对当地社区和游客经济产生不同的影响（或承诺在未来产生此类影响），这反过来又影响了他们的观点和策略。这种本地视角指导了我们第二个研究问题的最终框架。两个重大事件（即大众旅游的突然激增;以及 COVID-19 大流行造成的限制）为当地参与者和我们的研究提供了明确区分和比较这些影响的机会