Discussion: View Thread

Employeescapes

  • 1.  Employeescapes

    Posted 11-19-2007 16:31
    Dear Sirs,

    My name is Wouter Liekens and I am a graduate student at the University of Liverpool (MBA).
    My current dissertation topic is EMPLOYEESCAPES.
    Working further on the ideas from Mary Jo Bitner I turn the whole behavioral theories in the direction of the employees in a service setting.

    We all agree that the physical environment alters our ways of acting and even thinking, there is ample literature available to sustain this to say the least.
    What I am looking for is direct research and literature that links the physical environment to behavior.

    Why EmployeeScapes?
    EmployeeScapes are the areas in which employees act and interact, feel and behave and serve customers. As indeed the physical environment is made a certain way as to influence customers, "atmospherics" as Kottler would call it. We see with Bitner a connection to employees. However I would like to see it 100% towards the employees in the setting.

    What then influences their behavior and how can it be influenced positively? The research I tend to conduct will be directed towards the employees in the setting I have chose, being my own hotel. I am now looking for a good set of theories that I can use as the basis for the questions in my questionnaires and interviews.

    I do hope you could help me in the right direction.

    Kind regards,

    Wouter


    Wouter


  • 2.  Employeescapes

    Posted 11-21-2007 13:00

    Hi Wouter

    You might want to contact Graham Brown, at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Singapore</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Management</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>. His research focuses on territorial behavior in the workplace. Although territoriality research goes beyond the physical to address territoriality of roles, relationships and other intangibles in organizations, it is grounded, in part, on the research of physical space found in environmental psychology.

    Sandra

     


    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Wouter Liekens
    Sent: November 19, 2007 1:31 PM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Employeescapes

     

    Dear Sirs,

    My name is Wouter Liekens and I am a graduate student at the University of Liverpool (MBA).
    My current dissertation topic is EMPLOYEESCAPES.
    Working further on the ideas from Mary Jo Bitner I turn the whole behavioral theories in the direction of the employees in a service setting.

    We all agree that the physical environment alters our ways of acting and even thinking, there is ample literature available to sustain this to say the least.
    What I am looking for is direct research and literature that links the physical environment to behavior.

    Why EmployeeScapes?
    EmployeeScapes are the areas in which employees act and interact, feel and behave and serve customers. As indeed the physical environment is made a certain way as to influence customers, "atmospherics" as Kottler would call it. We see with Bitner a connection to employees. However I would like to see it 100% towards the employees in the setting.

    What then influences their behavior and how can it be influenced positively? The research I tend to conduct will be directed towards the employees in the setting I have chose, being my own hotel. I am now looking for a good set of theories that I can use as the basis for the questions in my questionnaires and interviews.

    I do hope you could help me in the right direction.

    Kind regards,

    Wouter


    Wouter



  • 3.  Employeescapes

    Posted 11-21-2007 14:07
    Wouter,
     
    You might also check out the Environmental Psychology literature.  Sundstrom, Burt, & Kamp have an AMJ piece from the 80s that draws on some of this lit to examine relationships of physical office design and privacy.  Irwin Altman's stuff on boundary regulation may also be informative.  The social facilitation literature would also speak to issues of physical enviornment as it relates to social interaction and behavioral outcomes such as performance.  Good luck,
     
    Brad
     

    Bradley J. Alge, PhD
    Associate Professor of Management
    Krannert School of Management
    Purdue University
    100 S. Grant St., Rawls Hall 4043
    West Lafayette, IN 47907-2076
    Ph. 765-494-4483
    Fax. 765-496-7434
    E-mail: algeb@purdue.edu

     


    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Robinson, Sandra
    Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:00 PM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Re: Employeescapes

    Hi Wouter

    You might want to contact Graham Brown, at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Singapore</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Management</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>. His research focuses on territorial behavior in the workplace. Although territoriality research goes beyond the physical to address territoriality of roles, relationships and other intangibles in organizations, it is grounded, in part, on the research of physical space found in environmental psychology.

    Sandra

     


    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Wouter Liekens
    Sent: November 19, 2007 1:31 PM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Employeescapes

     

    Dear Sirs,

    My name is Wouter Liekens and I am a graduate student at the University of Liverpool (MBA).
    My current dissertation topic is EMPLOYEESCAPES.
    Working further on the ideas from Mary Jo Bitner I turn the whole behavioral theories in the direction of the employees in a service setting.

    We all agree that the physical environment alters our ways of acting and even thinking, there is ample literature available to sustain this to say the least.
    What I am looking for is direct research and literature that links the physical environment to behavior.

    Why EmployeeScapes?
    EmployeeScapes are the areas in which employees act and interact, feel and behave and serve customers. As indeed the physical environment is made a certain way as to influence customers, "atmospherics" as Kottler would call it. We see with Bitner a connection to employees. However I would like to see it 100% towards the employees in the setting.

    What then influences their behavior and how can it be influenced positively? The research I tend to conduct will be directed towards the employees in the setting I have chose, being my own hotel. I am now looking for a good set of theories that I can use as the basis for the questions in my questionnaires and interviews.

    I do hope you could help me in the right direction.

    Kind regards,

    Wouter


    Wouter



  • 4.  Employeescapes

    Posted 11-21-2007 14:47
    Wouter,
     
    Google is a good example, I believe, of an organization that manipulates the environmental conditions for creating a positive atmospher. Here is a video about them that might give your some ideas: 
    <p:onmouseclick href="http://dorks.com/videos/working_at_google.html" hyperlinktype="url"></p:onmouseclick>http://dorks.com/videos/working_at_google.html

    Regards,

    Marie-Élène 
     
     



    Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:31:00 -0500
    From: Wouter_Liekens@EMBANET.COM
    Subject: Employeescapes
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu

    Dear Sirs,

    My name is Wouter Liekens and I am a graduate student at the University of Liverpool (MBA).
    My current dissertation topic is EMPLOYEESCAPES.
    Working further on the ideas from Mary Jo Bitner I turn the whole behavioral theories in the direction of the employees in a service setting.

    We all agree that the physical environment alters our ways of acting and even thinking, there is ample literature available to sustain this to say the least.
    What I am looking for is direct research and literature that links the physical environment to behavior.

    Why EmployeeScapes?
    EmployeeScapes are the areas in which employees act and interact, feel and behave and serve customers. As indeed the physical environment is made a certain way as to influence customers, "atmospherics" as Kottler would call it. We see with Bitner a connection to employees. However I would like to see it 100% towards the employees in the setting.

    What then influences their behavior and how can it be influenced positively? The research I tend to conduct will be directed towards the employees in the setting I have chose, being my own hotel. I am now looking for a good set of theories that I can use as the basis for the questions in my questionnaires and interviews.

    I do hope you could help me in the right direction.

    Kind regards,

    Wouter


    Wouter


    Envoie un sourire, fais rire, amuse-toi! Employez-le maintenant!


  • 5.  Employeescapes

    Posted 11-21-2007 16:30

    Dear Wouter,


    Through my research, I have examined organisational space from a cultural point of view.Some of the results have published in the Journal of Knowledge management, "Cultural space and technology enhance the knowledge process", vol 11, issue 4. If it is of your interest, you can have a look. 

    Dr. Dimitris Lamproulis.


    Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:31:00 -0500
    From: Wouter_Liekens@EMBANET.COM
    Subject: Employeescapes
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu

    Dear Sirs,

    My name is Wouter Liekens and I am a graduate student at the University of Liverpool (MBA).
    My current dissertation topic is EMPLOYEESCAPES.
    Working further on the ideas from Mary Jo Bitner I turn the whole behavioral theories in the direction of the employees in a service setting.

    We all agree that the physical environment alters our ways of acting and even thinking, there is ample literature available to sustain this to say the least.
    What I am looking for is direct research and literature that links the physical environment to behavior.

    Why EmployeeScapes?
    EmployeeScapes are the areas in which employees act and interact, feel and behave and serve customers. As indeed the physical environment is made a certain way as to influence customers, "atmospherics" as Kottler would call it. We see with Bitner a connection to employees. However I would like to see it 100% towards the employees in the setting.

    What then influences their behavior and how can it be influenced positively? The research I tend to conduct will be directed towards the employees in the setting I have chose, being my own hotel. I am now looking for a good set of theories that I can use as the basis for the questions in my questionnaires and interviews.

    I do hope you could help me in the right direction.

    Kind regards,

    Wouter


    Wouter


    The next generation of MSN Hotmail has arrived - Windows Live Hotmail


  • 6.  Employeescapes

    Posted 01-13-2008 05:56
    Dear Sirs,

    I would like to ask the advice, input, comments of any person interested pertaining the idea of EmployeeScapes.
    In the research I have conducted thus far I have come across very interesting literature regarding the retention and attraction of employees.
    The usual tools such as remuneration, development, HR, etc seem in the light of globalization near obsolete. However valid they are, they have come to be standing second rank. The future generations of workers grow up with an amalgamation of choices. The choice of one supplier of work to another therefore might become one of does it fit my lifestyle and can I become or be the person that I think I want to be there?
    In all this my search is to look for evidence of the physical environment can contribute to this choices and hence have an influence on the employees behavior before, during and after employment.
    The further idea behind this is on the global very competitive labor market, how can companies through certain tools attract and retain employees. My quest is to seek evidence if the physical environment might be part of those tools.
    If so, the physical environment will become a key part for employers when setting company strategy.

    Please any and all comments towards these ideas are very much appreciated and welcome. The referral to literature and academic sources would be highly regarded.
    I thank all of you beforehand for your help.

    Sincerely yours,

    Wouter


  • 7.  Employeescapes

    Posted 01-13-2008 14:20
    Dear Wouter,
     
    Sundstrom's book on the physical environment may be a good place to begin.
     
    I hope that helps.
     
    Best,
    Tjai
     

    Sundstrom, E. & Sundstrom, M. (1986).   Work places: The Psychology of the physical environment in offices and factories.  Cambridge: Cambridge  University Press.


     

    Tjai M. Nielsen, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor of Management

    The George Washington University

    School of Business

    Suite 315, Funger Hall

    2201 G Street, NW

    Washington, DC 20052

    202.994.6976

    www.management.gwu.edu

    --------------------------------------------------

    International Faculty Member

    Copenhagen Business School

    www.cbs.dk


    On Jan 13, 2008 5:55 AM, Wouter Liekens <Wouter_Liekens@embanet.com> wrote:
    Dear Sirs,

    I would like to ask the advice, input, comments of any person interested pertaining the idea of EmployeeScapes.
    In the research I have conducted thus far I have come across very interesting literature regarding the retention and attraction of employees.
    The usual tools such as remuneration, development, HR, etc seem in the light of globalization near obsolete. However valid they are, they have come to be standing second rank. The future generations of workers grow up with an amalgamation of choices. The choice of one supplier of work to another therefore might become one of does it fit my lifestyle and can I become or be the person that I think I want to be there?
    In all this my search is to look for evidence of the physical environment can contribute to this choices and hence have an influence on the employees behavior before, during and after employment.
    The further idea behind this is on the global very competitive labor market, how can companies through certain tools attract and retain employees. My quest is to seek evidence if the physical environment might be part of those tools.
    If so, the physical environment will become a key part for employers when setting company strategy.

    Please any and all comments towards these ideas are very much appreciated and welcome. The referral to literature and academic sources would be highly regarded.
    I thank all of you beforehand for your help.

    Sincerely yours,

    Wouter



  • 8.  Employeescapes

    Posted 01-13-2008 15:42
    Wouter,
    This sounds fascinating considering the impact the baby boomer retirement will have on the market. I would like to understand a little more about what you are striving to define as to environment of the employer.

    Linda


    -----Original Message-----
    From: Wouter Liekens <Wouter_Liekens@EMBANET.COM>
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Sent: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 2:55 am
    Subject: Employeescapes

    Dear Sirs,

    I would like to ask the advice, input, comments of any person interested pertaining the idea of EmployeeScapes.
    In the research I have conducted thus far I have come across very interesting literature regarding the retention and attraction of employees.
    The usual tools such as remuneration, development, HR, etc seem in the light of globalization near obsolete. However valid they are, they have come to be standing second rank. The future generations of workers grow up with an amalgamation of choices. The choice of one supplier of work to another therefore might become one of does it fit my lifestyle and can I become or be the person that I think I want to be there?
    In all this my search is to look for evidence of the physical environment can contribute to this choices and hence have an influence on the employees behavior before, during and after employment.
    The further idea behind this is on the global very competitive labor market, how can companies through certain tools attract and retain employees. My quest is to seek evidence if the physical environment might be part of those tools.
    If so, the physical environment will become a key part for employers when setting company strategy.

    Please any and all comments towards these ideas are very much appreciated and welcome. The referral to literature and academic sources would be highly regarded.
    I thank all of you beforehand for your help.

    Sincerely yours,

    Wouter

    More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!


  • 9.  Employeescapes

    Posted 01-13-2008 16:54

    Hi,

    There is a small literature, very well done, in services marketing that goes by the name "ServiceScapes."  I think you will find that work at least interesting.  You can begin by looking at the following review of that research: Bitner, M. J. (2000).  The servicescape.  In T. A. Swartz & D. Iacobucci (Eds.), Handbook of services marketing and management (pp. 37-50).  <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Thousand Oaks</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">CA</st1:state></st1:place>: Sage.

    Ben

    Benjamin Schneider, Ph.D.
    Senior Research Fellow, VALTERA
    Professor Emeritus, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Maryland</st1:placename></st1:place>
    1363 Caminito Floreo, Suite G
    <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">La Jolla</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">CA</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">92037</st1:postalcode></st1:place>
    tel/fx: 858-488-7594
    bschneider@valtera.com


    VALTERA ®
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    From: <st1:personname w:st="on">Organizational Behavior Division Listserv</st1:personname> [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Wouter Liekens
    Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 2:56 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Employeescapes

     

    Dear Sirs,

    I would like to ask the advice, input, comments of any person interested pertaining the idea of EmployeeScapes.
    In the research I have conducted thus far I have come across very interesting literature regarding the retention and attraction of employees.
    The usual tools such as remuneration, development, HR, etc seem in the light of globalization near obsolete. However valid they are, they have come to be standing second rank. The future generations of workers grow up with an amalgamation of choices. The choice of one supplier of work to another therefore might become one of does it fit my lifestyle and can I become or be the person that I think I want to be there?
    In all this my search is to look for evidence of the physical environment can contribute to this choices and hence have an influence on the employees behavior before, during and after employment.
    The further idea behind this is on the global very competitive labor market, how can companies through certain tools attract and retain employees. My quest is to seek evidence if the physical environment might be part of those tools.
    If so, the physical environment will become a key part for employers when setting company strategy.

    Please any and all comments towards these ideas are very much appreciated and welcome. The referral to literature and academic sources would be highly regarded.
    I thank all of you beforehand for your help.

    Sincerely yours,

    Wouter



  • 10.  Employeescapes

    Posted 01-14-2008 06:21
    Wouter,
     
    Very interesting.
     
    You might also look at the entrepreneurship literature.  Many people, particularly women, choose self employment for the flexibility it gives them in terms of when and where they work.  Sometimes these are called "lifestyle businesses".
     
    Best wishes,
    Roxanne Zolin
     
    *******************************************
    Dr. Roxanne Zolin
    Joint Appointments:
    Associate Professor
    School of Management,
    Queensland University of Technology
    2 George Street,
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4000
    OfficeL 61+ (0)7 3138 6878
    Mobile: 61+ 0433 400113
    r.zolin@qut.edu.au

    Graduate School of Business and Public Policy
    Naval Postgraduate School,
    Monterey, CA
    *******************************************


    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv on behalf of Wouter Liekens
    Sent: Sun 13/01/2008 2:55 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Employeescapes

    Dear Sirs,

    I would like to ask the advice, input, comments of any person interested pertaining the idea of EmployeeScapes.
    In the research I have conducted thus far I have come across very interesting literature regarding the retention and attraction of employees.
    The usual tools such as remuneration, development, HR, etc seem in the light of globalization near obsolete. However valid they are, they have come to be standing second rank. The future generations of workers grow up with an amalgamation of choices. The choice of one supplier of work to another therefore might become one of does it fit my lifestyle and can I become or be the person that I think I want to be there?
    In all this my search is to look for evidence of the physical environment can contribute to this choices and hence have an influence on the employees behavior before, during and after employment.
    The further idea behind this is on the global very competitive labor market, how can companies through certain tools attract and retain employees. My quest is to seek evidence if the physical environment might be part of those tools.
    If so, the physical environment will become a key part for employers when setting company strategy.

    Please any and all comments towards these ideas are very much appreciated and welcome. The referral to literature and academic sources would be highly regarded.
    I thank all of you beforehand for your help.

    Sincerely yours,

    Wouter


  • 11.  Employeescapes

    Posted 01-14-2008 08:03
    Hi Wouter,
     
    You may also want to take a look at my book, Hidden Assets (Springer, 2005), http://www.springer.com/dal/home/business/business+for+professionals?SGWID=1-166-22-70903570-0.   You are exploring a very important subject!
     
    Best,
    Charlie
     
    Charles Ehin, Ph.D.
    Emeritus Professor of Management
    The Gore School of Business
    Westminster College, Salt Lake City
    kalev1@msn.com
    www.UnManagement.com
    ----- Original Message -----
    Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 12:20 PM
    Subject: Re: Employeescapes

    Dear Wouter,
     
    Sundstrom's book on the physical environment may be a good place to begin.
     
    I hope that helps.
     
    Best,
    Tjai
     

    Sundstrom, E. & Sundstrom, M. (1986).   Work places: The Psychology of the physical environment in offices and factories.  Cambridge: Cambridge  University Press.


     

    Tjai M. Nielsen, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor of Management

    The George Washington University

    School of Business

    Suite 315, Funger Hall

    2201 G Street, NW

    Washington, DC 20052

    202.994.6976

    www.management.gwu.edu

    --------------------------------------------------

    International Faculty Member

    Copenhagen Business School

    www.cbs.dk


    On Jan 13, 2008 5:55 AM, Wouter Liekens <Wouter_Liekens@embanet.com> wrote:
    Dear Sirs,

    I would like to ask the advice, input, comments of any person interested pertaining the idea of EmployeeScapes.
    In the research I have conducted thus far I have come across very interesting literature regarding the retention and attraction of employees.
    The usual tools such as remuneration, development, HR, etc seem in the light of globalization near obsolete. However valid they are, they have come to be standing second rank. The future generations of workers grow up with an amalgamation of choices. The choice of one supplier of work to another therefore might become one of does it fit my lifestyle and can I become or be the person that I think I want to be there?
    In all this my search is to look for evidence of the physical environment can contribute to this choices and hence have an influence on the employees behavior before, during and after employment.
    The further idea behind this is on the global very competitive labor market, how can companies through certain tools attract and retain employees. My quest is to seek evidence if the physical environment might be part of those tools.
    If so, the physical environment will become a key part for employers when setting company strategy.

    Please any and all comments towards these ideas are very much appreciated and welcome. The referral to literature and academic sources would be highly regarded.
    I thank all of you beforehand for your help.

    Sincerely yours,

    Wouter