Result & Infographic
Motivation to Research this Topic
COVID-19 has accelerated earlier trends in flexible work arrangements and workplace design, such as activity-based working, working from co-working spaces, and remote working. The radical imperative to work from home has enabled workers to experience the benefits of choosing where they work. This led to a radical change in work behavior and new expectations of employees regarding the future of work. The purpose of the office – the value it should deliver – is now being actively challenged as working partially remotely becomes the new norm. The world of work is currently in a transformation phase to adapt to the arisen demands. It is critical that the workplace adapt to the changing demands of telecommuting in terms of location, space and technical equipment.
Research Question
What concepts, ideas and technological innovations influence the future workplace and its environment?
Research Methodology
I uses an exploratory approach entailing a literature review of 57 papers, industry reports, etc. and formal qualitative research through analyzing 29 document retrieved from conferences, expert presentations and workplace visits and 9 semi-structured interviews with experts in the field. I identified a selection of experts in the field that is most representative for the phenomenon under study. I ensured to include relevant industries to the research question, namely the sectors: start-up, conservative large corporation, co-working, consulting, and future-oriented furniture manufacturer.
Results
The research aim was to identify future workplace concepts that consider the impact of current flexible work behaviors. In particular, I contrasted the two resulting workplace scenarios, the workplace of the near future and the workplace of the distant future, based on their possible individual redesign concepts. The near and distant future scenario differs primarily in the degree of technology adoption and the associated value placed on face-to-face interaction. The findings suggest that a complete disappearance of the physical office is unlikely even in the distant future, but that work might largely take place in the virtual office.