@phdthesis{Amigoni2019, author = {Amigoni, Gaja}, title = {"Creative workspace: Talk vs. Action - A qualitative study on the substantive and symbolic roles and effects of creative workspaces in modern organizations"}, doi = {10.11584/opus4-461}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:521-opus4-4617}, school = {Europa-Universit{\"a}t Viadrina Frankfurt}, pages = {198}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In recent decades, workspace design, as an enabling factor for creativity and innovation, has become the focus of organizational efforts in many firms and among practitioners who are showing a growing interest in the design of creative work environments. This research developed from the observation that firms can design creative workspaces to foster everyday creativity in work-related settings (action - substantive role) and/or to strengthen the company´s corporate image in order to appear as creative to the eyes of a targeted audience (talk- symbolic role). This study explored and assessed the relations existing between creative workspaces and everyday creativity and corporate image respectively. The substantive and symbolic roles and effects of creative workspaces were addressed through qualitative interviews with nineteen informants working for sixteen selected organizations. Data collected was triangulated with additional material gathered through field notes, on-site observations in 32 German companies, written as well as photographic documentation. The results led to a comprehensive, scientific definition of the creative workspace. Empirical findings informed the process of creation and the spatial characteristics of creative workspaces fostering or hindering everyday creativity in work-related settings. Not only, companies were categorized according to the roles, aimed effects and spatial configurations of their creative workspaces and four aspects were identified as been conducive to everyday creativity together with workspace design. As for the symbolic side, six different plausible roles of creative workspaces were proven to have an impact on corporate image. This study confirmed that creative workspaces designed for symbolic purposes can affect and provoke the reactions of external, targeted groups of stakeholders. A three-layer model of engagement informing and guiding companies´ communication strategy in relation to creative workspaces was also suggested. Understanding the substantive and symbolic roles and effects of creative workspaces in relation to creative performances (action) and perceptions (talk) is meant to provide academic knowledge and clearance on the strategic intents and objectives guiding organizations in relation to the design of their physical environments. The increased knowledge and awareness gained in relation to creative workspaces will also allow practitioners and organizations to make more conscious and informed decisions by taking into account a broader spectrum of stakeholders, spanning from the internal focus on individuals at work to external stakeholders such as investors and young talents.}, language = {en} }