Organizational spatial transformation

Abstract

In the search for heightened levels of innovation, it is increasingly common for businesses to provide employees with ‘safe spaces’: physical, online or metaphorical spaces where people can feel comfortable to be themselves, generate ideas and creatively express themselves without fear of criticism or condemnation. The concept of ‘safe spaces’ is also becoming more prevalent in creative and cultural events, such as festivals. Based on qualitative case study research into the annual Burning Man event (what we call an ‘un-festival’), we examine organizational space that is bounded, outdoors, creative and disruptive but nonetheless considered ‘safe’ for the exploration of ideas that can be implemented in the workplace. In doing so, we sought to explore how safe spaces emerge at Burning Man, the personal transformations they encourage amongst participants, and how safe spaces are subsequently reconstructed in workplaces following one’s attendance at Burning Man. By undertaking these explorations, we identified three themes relating to safe spaces that were translated from the context of an un-festival to the work environment of the participants we interviewed: a supportive environment; freedom; and learning things. This chapter explores the emergence of safe spaces within both creative and cultural initiatives and business organizations; and examines how the concept of safe spaces is transformative, through an ongoing interplay between the creative/cultural sectors and business. The chapter thus focuses on physical, metaphorical and digital spatial transformation in an ‘un-festival’ – Burning Man.