Research Design Connection: Open Offices, Place Identity and Positive Outcomes
Pearce and Hinds share important insights on effective transitions to open office environments. Their research focuses on employee place identity, which they define as “whether employees feel the space aligns with their self-image and enhances their sense of belonging.” The researchers found, after talking with workers in the United States, France, Israel, India and China, that “employees who felt a greater sense of place identity…experienced the space [a new open office] as more collaborative, social, flexible, energetic, and comfortable, while those who didn’t develop place identity saw the space as noisy and cluttered. Workers who felt a greater personal connection to the space were also more engaged and enthusiastic about their work, believed their communication with colleagues and managers was of higher quality, and felt a greater attachment to the organization.” To build place identity, Pearce and Hinds recommend that the purpose of a new office space design be shared …
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