Emerald | Journal of Corporate Real Estate | Table of Contents

A Study of the Effects of Colocation on Office Workers’ Perception

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Mahbub Rashid) — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of study was to understand the effects of colocation on office workers’ perception of workplace design and interaction freedom in organizations.Design/methodology/approach - The study was conducted at six different departments of an office organization that moved from geographically dispersed office buildings to one office building. The pre-move data were collected three to six months before the move, and the post-move data were collected almost one year after the move through questionnaire surveys. Out of 284 workers, 169 office workers filled out the questionnaire in the pre-move survey, and 175 filled out the questionnaire in the post-move survey.Findings - Based on statistical analyses of the data, the study found that colocation did not help improve office workers’ overall perception of interaction freedom in the organization, but it helped eliminate perceptual disparities concerning interaction freedom among its different departments. The study also found that office workers’ perception of workplace design support for interaction and workstation location were strong predictors of their perception of interaction freedom in the organization. Overall, the findings of the study indicated that the purpose of colocation might be defeated if organizational behavior and culture were not modified simultaneously to promote workers’ perception in support of interaction freedom.Research limitations/implications - The study considered only one type of colocation that involved bringing people of different organizational units together from geographically dispersed places to one place. Therefore, these findings cannot be generalized for all other types of colocation.Practical implications - The findings of the study are important for Corporate Real Estate (CRE) strategists and organizational leaders who are actively considering colocation as a strategy to improve interaction and team effectiveness in the organization.Originality/value - The study investigates different mechanisms involving the effects of colocation on office workers' perception of workplace design and interaction freedom in organizations; and identifies important distinctions to consider for achieving the benefits of colocation in terms of face-to-face interactions in the workplace.

Measuring sense of belonging among employees working at a corporate campus: Implication for workplace planning and management

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Ruchika Jaitli, Ying Hua) — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This study explores the association between employees’ sense of belonging and their perception of workplace physical attributes at a corporate campus, and the workplace planning and management strategies to support employee sense of belonging for the long-term competitiveness and performance of organizations.Design/methodology/approach - The research site for this study is the corporate campus of a large information technology firm located in India. A workplace questionnaire designed by the International Workplace Studies Program (IWSP) at Cornell University was used. 267 employees working at the firm participated in this study. Findings - Factor analysis of the survey items identified five underlying factors that are related to workplace physical environment. Statistically significant correlations were identified among employees’ sense of belonging and these factors about work environment. A statistically significant model comprising of four of the factors was developed to predict employees’ sense of belonging.Originality/value - The paper presents a new model to link sense of belong to perception of workplace physical environment. Workplace planning and management implications were discussed for organizations to incorporate physical and spatial measures in their workplace to effectively enhance employees’ sense of belonging.

Real Estate Decision-Making As Actor Networks

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Louis John Grabowski, Lars Mathiassen) — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - Sound real estate decisions are both financially and strategically essential to corporate success. Given their importance, this paper illustrates how the Actor Network Theory (ANT) can be a valuable alternate lens to bounded rational and political perspectives in providing insights into corporate real estate decision-making processes.Design/methodology/approach - This exploratory investigation uses a case study approach to retroactively examine the real estate decision-making process over 5 to 7 years in 4 organizations ranging in size from 4 to 125 employees. The study uses multiple data sources including 25 in-depth interviews, site visits, archival data, websites, documents, and email correspondence. Findings - Using the constructs of ANT, the findings reveal how real estate decision-making involves iterative but identifiable phases through which heterogeneous actors seek to converge diverse interests and where artifacts affect behaviors and outcomes as much or sometimes more than their human creators. Research limitations/implications - Given the case study method, this research lacks generalizability. Researchers are encouraged to test the findings in different contexts. Practical implications - The ANT perspective helps managers faced with real estate decisions to appreciate the relevant matrix of need, power, and interests; recognize and seek to control the power of artifacts; and, view real estate decision-making not as simply making a choice among logical alternatives, but as orchestrating a long, complex process.Originality/value - This investigation compares the perspectives of ANT to the classical bounded rational and political lenses in examining corporate real estate decision-making; demonstrates ANT's value in providing additional insights; and, discusses its implications for understanding and managing these complex processes.

Understanding the outsourcing of Facilities Management Services in Uganda

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This study is aimed at analysing the current procurement practice of Facilities Management services in Uganda, from which the growth of Facilities Management in Uganda may be projected.Design/methodology/approach - Survey questionnaires were carried out, along with self- administered surveys. Findings - It was discovered that although some organisations insource a number of Facilities Management services, the majority is outsourced. . The analysis showed that the most popularly outsourced services are security and catering. The most common driver for outsourcing was the necessity to gain quality services from another organisation’s expertise. For the organisations that procure services in-house, the most common motivation to do so was the desire to control the service quality and response time. Originality/value - One of the key conclusions drawn is that the Facilities Management industry in Uganda – though not officially recognised - exists in a capacity separate to property management. It is a field that shows steady growth in line with the economy.

Journal of Corporate Real Estate 15.2 Editorial

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Howard Cooke) — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Not available.