1. An organizational perspective on creative environments Anna Rylander, PhD Business & Design Lab, Gothenburg University

2. What is a creative environment? People Workplace (physical context) Organization (social context)

3. What is a creative environment? People Workplace (physical context) Organization (social context) Organizational identity Organizational identity

4. The case of “Professional Consulting” Global consulting firm, 600 in Sweden 43 semi-structured interviews Strong elitist identity – “Professional” – “Duktig” (conscientious, hardworking, smart) – “Trevlig” (nice) State-of-the-Art flexible workplace

5. Design intentions Key requirements: Security, Functionality, Innovation – Light, open space, flexible Emphasis on central meeting places – Cafés as “oasis” in the office, “the heart of the company” Office as showcase, seen as very successful

6. Employee experience “Impersonal”, “cold”, “sterile”, “not cosy” Implicit link to organizational identity – “hidden messages” Encourages certain behaviours – Look busy, no greeting, no coffee breaks Social spaces not used as intended “you can have a coffee break in several places, but nobody does because then you get a bad conscience – or somebody thinks you ought to”

7. The complex interplay between identity & physical environment OI & PE similar roles for sensemaking and social interaction OI influences attitudes & interpretations of PE The office design helps employees interpret OI Design of PE reinforces certain aspects of OI and suppresses others Values Behaviours Attitudes IDENTITY REGULATION IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION PE OI

8. Implications for workplace design The design challenge – There is not one universal design for creative environments – Experiential and symbolic dimensions intertwined in sensemaking – May be more important than instrumental dimensions – Design needs to work with the (organisational) identity The organizational challenge – Office design as mediator between the employee and the organisation – Difference between “core values” and identity – Pervasive communications medium