State of the Art: New Ways of Working and the Contribution of Real Estate to Changed Working Conditions

Purpose - This paper aims to demonstrate the contribution of real estate on working performance due to new working environments. Until now working environments just have been considered from a business, human Resources, IT, architecture and a health and safety point of view.Design/methodology/approach - Based on a comprehensive literature review, including journal papers, university papers and handbooks, office properties, workplace and office design will be analyzed with regard to working performance.Findings - Literature shows an upcoming demographic change, which has to be taken into account for real estate buildings and office concepts. They have to meet several challenges, like the increasing use of technical equipment, flexible workplaces and work hours and the higher demand of employees for an appropriate work-live balance. Real Estate properties must not only handle the 'green building' claim, but also have to deal with 'blue building' demands. The office design also influences collaboration, communication, concentration, working- and environmental satisfaction. These components are some of the key factors for ability and willingness to perform and finally for performance. The strengthening links between those components and the corporate culture and organizational structure show how important it is to look at a bigger picture. Literature review appears inconsistent about the effect of those factors, but a rough trend shall be shown for performance of the employees.Originality/value - Based on existing know-how about workplace design and performance: effective office building concepts can be developed for future.