Adapting to Working Environment Change: Effects of Mobility and Flexibility

Abstract

Given the current impacted state of the BMW Group, as well as its perpetual job growth, new working forms need to be implemented in order for the company to maintain its status as a leading competitor in the automotive industry. By implementing a flexible working environment, organizations are able to accommodate continuous job growth, while maintaining sufficient building space efficiency and reducing building costs. A new workplace concept will inevitably result in the emergence of new challenges regarding satisfaction with the working environment, as well as impose significant change that can be perceived as threatening to some individuals. Therefore, the following study examines the effects that mobility and flexibility in the workplace have on perceived employee satisfaction and well-being. Research was conducted on a targeted group of employees over a two-year time period at the BMW Group in Munich, Germany. Employee responses pertaining to perceptions of mobility work and desk sharing were analyzed via questionnaire analyses in order to determine the effects on satisfaction with the working environment at the BMW Group in a specified non-territorial working environment. Structural equation modeling and content analyses via open-ended responses were conducted in order to determine the effect that the independent variables, mobile work, and desk sharing have on working environment satisfaction and employee well-being. Results indicate that mobile work significantly predicts working environment satisfaction, and levels of satisfaction with the working environment increased over time. Furthermore, open-ended responses suggest that mobile work has a significantly positive influence on employee satisfaction. Desk sharing has a significant impact on hygiene levels and concentration abilities in the flexible working environment, influencing employee well-being. This study provides concrete evidence for the need to solve capacity issues in terms of job growth, as well as maintain a high level of employee satisfaction and well-being in today’s fast-paced society.