Emerging Agile Workplace Strategies in Hong Kong
Kavantera, Aino, Thakore, Renuka and Whitehall, Graeme (2020) Emerging Agile Workplace Strategies in Hong Kong. In: FUTURE WORKSPACES, Transdisciplinary Workplace Research (TWR) Conference 2020.
|
Text
Future workspaces.pdf Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (5MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Purpose: Agile working, also known as activity-based working (ABW) has gained interest from both business and academia. Agile working allows employees to work flexibly, choosing and switching between different non-assigned workstations, with varying degrees of privacy, depending on the task they are working on. The aim of this study is to investigate how corporate drivers and individual preferences for agile working meet. In contrast to places where agile working concepts have been studied extensively, such as the Netherlands, (see Hoendervanger et al., 2016; Appel-Meulenbroek et al., 2015; De Been and Beijer, 2014) this study focuses on an under-researched region, that of Hong Kong. Theory: ‘Systems-thinking’ describes processes that are involved when an organisation transforms from one phase into another. This process takes place at both an organisational as well as at individual levels. The implementation of a workplace concept involves a physiological as well as a psychological change, and the ‘System’ only operates when both individual and corporate levels align in their approach and implementation (Thakore et al., 2020). Design/ methodology/ approach: A transdisciplinary lens was applied using mixed methods, combining quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Data collection and analysis were carried out using a combination of a survey questionnaire (systems knowledge) and semi�structured interviews (target knowledge). The research findings are developed to inform the emerging trends (transformation knowledge) that are significant for relevant stakeholders. Findings: The changing nature of work, productivity and wellness were found to be key drivers for implementation of agile workplace strategies at corporate level, whereas preferences at individual level were found to be positively associated with an individual's exposure level to them. Furthermore, internal constraints such as lack of time and resources were found to limit the efforts of organisations in investing and monitoring impacts and outcomes of agile working, highlighting the need for further research in this area. Originality/ value: This research is undertaken in the context of Hong Kong where, like the wider Chinese context, there is limited previous research on agile working. While there are a number of non-academic reports, they do not explicitly consider this emerging innovative model of working and its impact on business performance. The research is initiating a dialogue for investigation for the benefit of business and academia alike.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Sustainable Development Goals: | |
| Keywords: | Agile working, Hong Kong, Productivity, Wellness |
| Divisions: | School of the Built Environment > Research > Sustainable Built Environment & Property Research Centre |
| Depositing User: | Sharon Youngson |
| Date Deposited: | 15 May 2023 15:33 |
| Last Modified: | 24 May 2023 12:59 |
| URI: | https://ucem.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/82 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit Item |