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Physical space, culture and organisational creativity – a longitudinal study

Tomi J. Kallio (Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Pori, Finland.)
Kirsi-Mari Kallio (Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Pori, Finland.)
Annika Johanna Blomberg (Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Pori, Finland.)

Facilities

ISSN: 0263-2772

Article publication date: 7 April 2015

6089

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the potential positive effects of the design of a physical organisational environment on the emergence of an organisational culture conducive to organisational creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an in-depth, longitudinal case study, the aim being to enhance understanding of how a change in physical space, including location, spatial organisation and architectonic details, supports cultural change.

Findings

It is suggested that physical space plays an implicit yet significant role in the emergence of a culture conducive to organisational creativity. It appears from the case analysis that there are three aspects of culture in particular, equality, openness and collectivity, that may be positively affected by the design of an organisation’s physical environment.

Practical implications

The careful choice, planning and design of an organisation’s physical location, layout and style can advance the appearance of an organisational culture conducive to creativity.

Originality/value

The paper describes a longitudinal study comparing a case organisation before and after a change in its physical environment. The longitudinal data illustrates how a change in the spatial environment contributes to the emergence of a culture conducive to organisational creativity.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Daved Barry and Tommy Jensen for their useful comments on earlier versions of this article.

Citation

Kallio, T.J., Kallio, K.-M. and Blomberg, A.J. (2015), "Physical space, culture and organisational creativity – a longitudinal study", Facilities, Vol. 33 No. 5/6, pp. 389-411. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-09-2013-0074

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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