The project is a study on how in the coming times the work spaces will be innovated. The factors which affect the performance of an employee in a particular set up are mentioned here. The future of offices can be very well scene in this study. Examples from the offices of Apple, Google, Facebook etc. have been quoted well for reference.

1. JAIPURIA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, LUCKNOW
INNOVATIONS IN
WORKSPACE
AHRM INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
APOORVA SHARMA
JL19PG030
MARCH, 2020

2. 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SR. NO. TOPIC PAGE
(i) Acknowledgment 2
1. Abstract 3
2. Innovations in Workspace 4
3. Companies Innovating Workspaces (with examples) 5
4. Elements affecting Physical Work Environment and
Innovation
8
5. Conclusion 13
(ii) References

3. 2
(i) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
To begin with, I’d like to thank Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow for providing me with
this opportunity to study of the trending topic “Innovations in Workspace”. I would like to express
my gratitude to my AHRM course faculty Prof. Pallavi Srivastava under whose guidance and
constant support I have been able to finish this project on time. I would also like to thank Mr. D.K.
Tripathi, Librarian, Jaipuria Institute of Management Lucknow for providing all the necessary data
through various research papers and online articles for the study of this project. Last but not the
least, I extend my gratitude to my family and friends for being a constant support and motivation for
me to complete this project with the same enthusiasm and for giving me their personal insights
whenever asked for.

4. 3
1. ABSTRACT
India is changing rapidly as a country of working people. The Gen X is at the maturity stage of
their work period, the Millennials or Gen Y are running in the race of growing in their careers;
some even going through mid-life crisis already, meanwhile the Gen Z is all pumped up to
start their careers; the latter half of which have just got into their jobs. Amidst all these
generations working on different levels in their lives, one thing which stands common is the
fact that all of these have workspaces to perform their KRAs; whether inside the office or
outside.
With the advent of newer technologies and changing learning patterns, the workspaces in
offices need an innovative revisit too. The millennials and Gen Z look out for more casual work
spaces as compared to the Gen X which is more focussed on the formal working style. The
embarkment of creativeness being looked for in employees in one reason why innovation is
a necessity. From work-life balance to work-life integration, we have come a long way in
innovating and disrupting the working styles of people.
This study has been done to understand the kind of innovation that can be facilitated in the
offices for better motivation and thus better performance of the employees. We shall talk
about various factors that might affect the physical and mental work environment and thus
improve the creative knack of the employees. Multiple research papers, online articles and
videos have been used to study the implications of the stated factors and thereafter a
conclusion and a few findings have been stated, suggesting the innovative ideas that can be
implemented. Nevertheless, the study leaves the reader with a question to ponder upon as
to how these factors will affect their own work environment and what else is required
pertaining to specific kind of work spaces where Millennials and Gen Z work.

5. 4
2. INNOVATIONS IN WORKSPACE
W. Clement Stone once said: "You are a product of your environment. So, choose the
environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Are the things around you
helping you toward success -- or are they holding you back?"
The working patterns of people have been changing constantly for over 100 years now. As
they say, “change is the only constant”, so it be for all aspects of work life. The present era of
working is devoted and focused towards creativity and constant innovation. Companies today
look out for people who have an out of the box thinking towards even the most basic of things.
Workspace enhancement is all about enhancing the human experience so as to motivate the
employees to work in a better manner. A motivated employee is a more efficient one for
obvious reasons. A healthy mind and a healthy body substantially increase the productivity of
the person.
It is necessary for an employer to understand the need of having a dynamic work
environment, generally known as Physical Work Environment (PWE). With the shifting
working generation, a shift in the kind of workspace is a mandate in the present time.
Innovation not only facilitates motivation in the employees but also helps in serving the
purpose of increased creativity in them.
Herzberg’s Two Factor theory of motivation talks about the two factors which affect the
motivation levels of employees in an organisation. These are Motivators and Hygiene factors.
The Hygiene Factors are those factors which are considered to be necessary for any employee
for basic working. In context of the work space, the hygiene factors can be a dedicated cubicle
or even a table and chair allotted to the employee, well lit room, washroom, a canteen or at
least a pantry. Meanwhile, the Motivators are those factors whose existence increase the
satisfaction levels of the employees. In context of the work space, the motivators can be a
decorated office, a nicely set up cubicle, informal working zones, leisure space, a good café
and the list goes on because the satisfaction level of a person can never be fulfilled.
Right kind of innovation in workplace also facilitates employee engagement. Motivation,
satisfaction and employee engagement are all inter related when it comes to efficiency of
work. A motivated employee is the one who is well engaged in to do its work and beyond.
The leisure space, hot-desking, lounge areas and cafeterias can serve as effective engagement
for the employees.

6. 5
The level of satisfaction in the employees (millennials here) vary from person to person but
one thing that stands common in all of them is the ease of working. The millennials (according
to a survey) prefer more of casual/flexible work environments than those which are
formal/rigid in case of the PWE. To cater to the changing needs of the employees, innovation
is the essential key which needs to be taken up by the companies. From the colour of lights
being used to the amount of humidity in the work environment to even the fragrance and
music that is omnipresent in the organisation, all these things now affect the work
environment and thus the companies pay a lot of attention to even the meekest of the things.
3. COMPANIES INNOVATING THEIR WORK SPACES
From start-ups to big established brands, the top management of all these houses have lately
understood that with the changing trends in both technology and working style, the
traditional outlooks of the offices also need a renovation. Cubicles, computer rows, a small
coffee machine no longer serve as the measures for satisfaction to the employees. Designers
and architects today have a great deal of work to be done when innovation in the work spaces
are being talked about.
Google, Facebook, Apple, LinkedIn, Dell, Samsung and many more companies have innovated
their offices, making them fun places to work in. The traditional (termed boring by the
millennials) office spaces are now being innovated and are being changed to interesting,
collaborative places to work in. the environment of the offices are being innovated in such a
way that they have started to facilitate healthy work space. The ergonomics play a huge role
in shaping the thought process of the employees. A healthy mind gives out better vibes and
are more effective while working than those who are not so satisfied.
People centric organisations understand the need to give their employees all what they need
to carry on with their work effectively. Gone are the days of white walls, rows of cubicles and
cabin meetings. The millennials look out for quirky designs in the office, flexible work zones
and open meeting rooms. In an interview, the top management of Google states that
innovative work environment enables collaboration between people, makes them more
people friendly and not just more efficient but more creative as well. Open working spaces,
flexible seating arrangements and similar innovation in the workspace also influences the
creativity at individual, team, and even a wholesome organisational level. Chairs have been
replaced by couches, pantries are now enhanced by bigger cafeterias, tube lights have

7. 6
become the designer ones. Wheels are the new trend, where things are movable, thus
nothing stays constant. To maintain a constant workforce, flexibility is the new in. In the
further pages, how various companies have been innovating their workspaces over the
changing period has been discussed.
3.1 Google
Google is known for keeping its employees happy and for maintaining high productivity
through premium level of employee satisfaction. According to an office tour video by Click
Network on Youtube, the Asia Pacific Headquarter of Google in Singapore has gyms, salon,
bowling alley, pool table and what not. All these facilities provided by the global giant are free
of cost for the employees and even their families. Google has a unique managerial post of
Chief Happiness Officer whose sole responsibility is to look after the satisfaction of the
employees, says an article on The Guardian “Is Google’s model of the creative workplace the
future of the offices?”.
The UK office of Google, as mentioned in the above mentioned article of The Guardian, is well
equipped with break zones, gaming areas and even music rooms. Google Cafés are designed
for the employees so as to facilitate and encourage interaction and collaboration between
and across teams, to flourish communication not just about work but also play. The New York
office of Google has a very funky set up. There are endless types of styles, themes and interior
designs one can find in a Google office. The architectural setup is such that no employee
remains mora than 150 feet away from food shacks. This ensures that employees keep
meeting their co-workers time and again and thus build cohesive relations.
3.2 Apple
Jonathan Ive, the Chief Design Officer of Apple tells Wired that Apple believes in “a building
where so many people can connect and collaborate and walk and talk.”. He takes it as the
biggest achievement for the global giant. In a company like Apple, where innovation is just as
common as breathing, the company makes sure its employees know the importance of
innovation, creativity and collaboration.
In a Harvard Business Review article, a research on hi-tech workspaces explains how the Apple
office, popularly known as “retrograde cocoon” reflects the company’s mission of innovating.
The employees in this office when look at the excruciating details of the office interior

8. 7
understand the need for creativity and thus innovation. The Apple Park in California, which is
the corporate headquarter of Apple Inc. has its campus with obsessive detailing. Not even a
single wire is to be seen lying uncovered. Not just technology, the company has left no stones
unturned in bringing in nature to existence in the magnificent 30 acres headquarter. There
are more than 9000 trees planted in and around the campus spreading out the vibe of the
amalgamation of science and nature. The most attractive feature of this innovation being the
inner courtyard having a natural pond and numerous fruit trees.
The Apple headquarters facilitates collaboration between its 12,000 working employees in
the very minutely detailed campus, amidst the nature to foster their creativity and
productivity.
3.3 Facebook
“Your physical environment influences how you think and feel. If you want to build openness
and collaboration, then the office must reflect that,” says Kate Aronowitz, Director of Design at
Facebook in a Harvard Business Review article “Inside Facebook’s Internal Innovation Culture”.
Facebook, an app where can people move places while being in their own dimensions makes
sure that its employees get the same feel of being able to move freely all across the office. From
chairs to tables to even white boards, Facebook has provided wheels to everything. This is to
facilitate movement to the employees so that they can collaborate, discuss, innovate and thus
give birth to new ideas. A YouTube video by channel Tech Insider gives a tour of Facebook’s
Engineering Office in London where we see that not only work, but Facebook gives equal priority
to rest, for which it has in its offices “nap capsules” wherein any employee can go and take a nap
to work again with more energy. The office also has quirky wall designs and even quotes written
all over the walls. Graphics are used judiciously. With game zones and couches to have fun while
working, Facebook has left no stone unturned to give its employees the best of satisfaction.
The idea of using colours on the walls of the office is to make its employees feel at home by
providing comfort and ease of work. Facebook plans to expand its headquarters further soon
and it shall bring in a completely out of the box idea of having movable walls and not just restrict
the employees’ movements to chairs and tables. Ironical much!

9. 8
3.4 WeWork
With more and more start-ups coming up every year, and considering the limitation of space,
funds and other resources for the budding entrepreneurs, the growing trend of co-working
spaces is nothing but a blessing. WeWork is a New York based organisation which provides
premium co-working spaces to all those start-ups who believe in innovation and creativity
through collaboration.
The company provides with customised, semi-customised and open co-working spaces to
cater to different kinds of needs. From dedicated seats to hot-desking, the architecture of the
office is such that it remains spacious even after having all the amenities. WeWork also
provides people with a kitchen which serves beverages ranging from hot chocolate to wine
for free. Not just this, but the office also provides with packed snack which are payable. The
setup also has plants inside the offices ensuring freshness and life in the aura of the work
space. There are cubicles and even separate cabins for people who wish to have privacy and
silence. Moreover, dedicated office spaces are provided which can be customised according
to the requirements of the organisation.
4. ELEMENTS AFFECTING PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT AND
INNOVATION
After analysing the innovation pattern in the above-mentioned big brands of the world, it now
seems easy to bifurcate and hence analyse a few factors that directly or indirectly affect and
innovate the physical work environment of an organisation. According to a research paper
(Designing Creativity-Enhancing Workspaces: A Critical Look at Empirical Evidence, 2017),
these elements can be categorised broadly into tangible and intangible items. Moreover, the
spatial arrangement and space types also define the mental state of mind of the employees,
thus the performance. These elements act as various parameters to analyse the level of
satisfaction derived by the employees. If innovated and used in the right way, the employers
can get the best out of their employees because of their healthy state of mind.
Lights, office climate, smell, colours and sound are the intangible elements which affect the
performance of the employees. The tangible elements include the kind of furniture,
equipment, materials and textures, plants and decoration. When we talk of spatial
arrangement, the size of the office, visible complexity, customisation and flexibility are taken

10. 9
into consideration. Finally, we talk about the space type which define the kind of space
provided in the office; relaxed and disengaged. All these elements somehow or the other
affect the performance of the employees.
4.1 Intangible Elements
Intangible, as the word explains is what can be felt, experienced and affects the mental state
of the employee directly.
4.1.1 Light
The brighter the room, the more energy it has, say the elderly people. To some extent, this
stands true according to an article posted on WeWork. The temperature of the light directly
affects the mood of the employees. Companies now are innovating the kinds of lights used y
them in the office. The warmer kind are used in the reception or guest areas for them to feel
at ease. Warm lights give a relaxed vibe. Designer filament bulbs are often put up to facilitate
that aura. They look both elegant and easy at the same time. The working spaces use the
white lights which give out energy. These facilitate the employees to work with greater energy
and enthusiasm. Adequate lights are necessary to roll out creativity in the employees, a low-
lit work environment gives out a lazy vibe (Alancar & Bruno Faria, 1997).
4.1.2 Office Climate
The appropriate office climate which is all a mixture of the right temperature, humidity and
air around the employees are very important for the employees to have their creative knacks
worked up (Martin, Lukas, Timm, Kai Ingo, 2017). Companies now give the employees the
facility to setup the temperature of their environment.
4.1.3 Smell
Positive smell, i.e., fresh air or smell of fresh flowers or even coffee beans simulate creativity,
says a research by Dul & Ceylan (2011). Companies now use dehumidifiers in the offices to
maintain freshness in the atmosphere and use timely air sprays to make the office smell good.
4.1.4 Colours
Colours and colour combinations affect the creativity and thus enhance the work. Warm and
cool colours have their own impacts on the minds of the people and thus the performance of
the employees (Steiner, 2006). Red, yellow, orange and other colours of the same family

11. 10
belong to the warm category. Green, blue and other colors of the same family belong to the
cool category. A research by Ceylan (2011) says that while the cool colours facilitate creativity
and innovation in people, the warm colours make people more alert for work but they do not
enhance one’s creativity. Companies have now started using colours judiciously. Having cool
colours around will spread a cooler vibe across the workspace. Playing with colours is a good
option in the places where recreational activities are done, for example, cafeterias.
4.1.5 Sound
Mild music is never a disruptor while working. A constant music in the workplace can help
employees maintain their pace of work. CBS News conducted a study which says that 90%
employees who listen to music while working are better performers. To facilitate this, the
companies can have mild music played uniformly all across the office. This also maintains a
good vibe in the aura. Absence of noise or complete silence might also facilitate creativity in
the employees, say Dul & Ceylan in their 2011 study.
4.2 Tangible Elements
Those which can be seen, felt and touched are the tangible elements. These affect not just
the mental state of the employees but strikes a chord on the physical aspect of the employees
first.
4.2.1 Furniture
The kind of furniture used in modern offices affect the employees’ creativity, and engagement
directly since it is that element which is used on a regular basis. While companies take a leap
from permanent desks to hot-desks, the mobility of the furniture is a concern. Most of the
offices, as stated previously, have now started to use wheels in almost all the table and chairs
to ensure complete collaboration amongst its employees across teams and departments
(Martin, Lukas, Timm, Kai Ingo, 2017).
Moreover, the companies are now having add on seating furniture, be it the been bag or a
couch or even high raised stools and desks. Understanding the ergonomics and the
importance of motion and right posture to maintain the right amount of blood flow in the
body, flexibility in working positions and locations is now a major shift in the work pattern,
and thus the work space outlook and setup. Also, with the increased pressure and the high-

12. 11
performance work system-based offices, the furniture must be such where the employees
can easily sir for 6-8 hours a day without getting physically tired (Dul and Ceylan, 2011)
4.2.2 Equipment
The right kind of office equipment provide the right kind of support to the super dynamic
work environment. An appropriate tool when used in the right environment can also facilitate
creativity in the employees. The Apple office, for instance, has white boards at several places
which can be used by anyone. This is to facilitate the innovative bug in the employees, so that
anyone who gets a creative idea can immediately write it down and which can be further
implemented. The cubicles have a table lamp so as to provide the employees with focussed
work experience.
4.2.3 Materials and Textures
According to the study of elements by Martin, Lukas, Timm and Kai Ingo, 2017, the
manufactured materials and textures such as plastics, steel, synthetic fibres have a negative
impact on the creative knack of the employees. Meanwhile, marble, wood and other natural
material and textures are better source of creativity. The companies might like to use marble
flooring instead of tiles or might use wooden railings in place of the steel ones.
4.2.4 Plants
Plants act as a source of energy and freshness in the offices. Many offices have now started
putting up small and big plants in the work place. Natural dehumidifiers and natural air are
some uses of the same. According to the study by Dul & Ceylan, the natural atmosphere
facilitates more creativity amongst the employees.
4.2.5 Decoration
The new innovation which stands in the list is the trend of decorating offices. From book
shelves to decorative lights to quirky tables to colours all around, even the smallest things
when used in the right way facilitate innovation in the workplace. Creative visual detailing
which the employees see daily brings in them the zeal to create new things and thus feel
energetic. Paintings ae also a good example of how modern offices are innovating the spaces.

13. 12
4.3 Spatial Arrangement
The physical arrangement of things in the office/ work space is what is called spatial
arrangement. Proper utilisation of the space of the office is a necessity so that collaboration
is possible and people don’t feel like they are sitting in a hall or in a congested place. The
space must be well managed and utilised.
4.3.1 Size of the Office
The size of the office cannot be standard because it totally depends upon how big the
organisation is. The fact that must be kept in mind is that the meeting rooms or the cabins
must be of optimum size so that they have good air circulation in them. Even the small offices
can set in such a way that they look spacious.
4.3.2 Visible Complexity
Visible complexity of the work space is the combination of structures present in the office.
With innovation being the next new trend, and more and more structures, patterns are
textures being used in the work spaces to facilitate energy. A comparatively complex layout
in the leisure places can be used to enhance creativity. Innovation can be made keeping in
mind the impact on the employee’s mind.
4.3.3 Customisation and Flexibility
The attributes of flexibility and customisation include the work place flexibility which is being
talked of these days. Variable height tables, sliding doors, blinds are all features of
customisation and flexibility according to a study of 2017.
4.4 Space Types
From serious working to casual meetings to leisure areas, the future workspace needs to have
all the aspects into consideration.
4.4.1 Relaxing
With work being a constant in the modern offices, a space to relax is heaven for the
employees. Big organisations have arrangements for couches and even nap rooms to facilitate
relaxation to its employees. A home-like setting to have peace of mind amidst the tough work
rejuvenates the employees and thus improve performance.

14. 13
4.4.2 Disengaged
This space is somewhat similar to the relaxed space because this space also facilitates
relaxation. The difference lies in the type of relaxation provided by this space which is to
disengage the employees from their basic work routine. Games zone, cafes, chit chat outlets
are all spaces defined to disengage the employees from their stressful work. This also
facilitates social interaction, collaboration and eventually, creativity. Even doodling is
facilitated in some offices to have informal meetings
5. CONCLUSION
The main aim of this study was to analyse the kind of innovation that can be facilitated by the
companies in the modern world. After determining 15 elements which directly or indirectly
affect the mental state of the employees in an organisation, it is now evident that even the
smallest things like pattern on the walls of the office can create a huge impact on the creativity
and collaboration amongst the employees and thus on their performances. It is inevitable to
say that the way an office looks affects the performance of the employees working there. We
find that big organisations like Google and Apple consider creativity as one of the major
aspects to create their work spaces. Their main motive is to provide their employees with
premium satisfaction while at work so as to get their best outcomes.
Engaged employees are found to be better performers, thus companies now need to focus
on the engagement activities and leisure of their employees too. This study concludes that
there are various intangible and tangible elements, spatial arrangements and space types
which affect the employee performance thus while designing or innovating the work spaces,
these factors are to be kept in mind. But all these factors are not always applicable in all
places. Thus it also depends upon the type of organisation to choose how they wish to
innovate their work space to get the best of their employees.

15. 14
(ii) REFERENCES
1. The Future of the Office: 7 Innovative Ways Companies Are Changing the
Workplaceblog.hubspot.com
2. 7 Creative Office Spaces Designed to Spark Innovation - Artsywww.artsy.net
3. 15 Office Spaces That Push The Boundaries Of Innovation | Business Insider
Indiawww.businessinsider.in
4. Google's Secrets Of Innovation: Empowering Its Employeeswww.forbes.com
5. Why Apple’s New HQ Is Nothing Like the Rest of Silicon Valleyhbr.org
6. Innovation in the Workplace: Processes that foster innovation:
EBSCOhostweb.a.ebscohost.com
7. Organization derobotized: innovation and productivity in a workplace enviro...:
ebscohostweb.a.ebscohost.com
8. Could it be that LinkedIn just isn't that innovative?thenextweb.com
9. Ideas by WeWork: Workplace Trends & Insights | WeWorkwww.wework.com
10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265964533_The_Impact_of_Space_on_Innovati
on_Teams
11. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Timm_Wagner/publication/320323715_Designing_Cr
eativity-
Enhancing_Workspaces_A_Critical_Look_at_Empirical_Evidence/links/59edb24a458515198
3ccf3b2/Designing-Creativity-Enhancing-Workspaces-A-Critical-Look-at-Empirical-
Evidence.pdf?origin=publication_detail