This case study explores the trend towards open offices. Although open office arrangements are not new, there was a time when the only open offices were for administrative and support staff, with supervisors and managers having offices with walls and doors for privacy. The reasoning for private offices for managers was fairly obvious – these offices were needed to conduct private meetings and annual reviews. It is thought the main impetus for the open office arrangement for all staff except executives began in Silicone Valley with its penchant for informality and employee interaction. Now, the open office concept is more widespread and many of the initial fears are gone. Many of you may now work in an open office environment.
evaluate the Open Office concept, either directly, through observation, or experience, and think about how you could apply it to your current working environment from the management perspective. As a manager, how would you implement the Open Office concept with your employees? In your response, briefly describe the current work environment, and how you would change it to make it more efficient while meeting both the organizational and employee needs. As you formulate your response, consider the following questions:
When you first heard about the Open Office concept, did you have positive or negative thoughts about it? What were those thoughts and have they changed over time either due to obtaining more information about the concept or because you have had personal experience working in an office where this concept is used?
Is the Open Office concept suitable for all industries, companies, or organizations? Do all employees with different personality characteristics adapt well or poorly to this concept?
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