Longitudinal Effects of Activity-Based Flexible Office Design on Teamwork

Area of Science:

• Organizational Psychology
• Workplace Design
• Team Dynamics

Background:

• Activity-based flexible offices (A-FOs) are increasingly adopted, altering traditional workspace structures.
• The Activity-Based Office Model (A-FO-M) posits that changes in visibility and proximity impact team processes.
• Understanding the effects of A-FOs on team dynamics is crucial for effective workplace strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of A-FOs on team communication, trust, cohesion, and collaboration.
• To explore team management challenges and benefits associated with A-FO implementation.
• To analyze employee experiences within an A-FO environment based on the A-FO-M framework.

Main Methods:

• A three-wave longitudinal interview study with 25 employees transitioning to an A-FO.
• Qualitative content analysis of interview data to identify themes and patterns.
• Application of the A-FO-M theoretical framework to interpret findings.

Main Results:

• Interviewees reported improved inter-team collaboration due to increased contact, communication, and trust.
• Negative effects included decreased teamwork stemming from reduced communication and cooperation.
• Management challenges centered on maintaining team cohesion and communication with dispersed members.

Conclusions:

• A-FOs can foster inter-team collaboration but pose risks to intra-team cohesion and communication.
• Strategic interventions, such as dedicated team areas, may mitigate A-FO challenges.
• Further research is needed to optimize A-FO design and management for team effectiveness.