Role Of Physical Space Research Articles

Urban identity in the value paradigm modern Russian society

The article is devoted to urban identity as a socio-cultural, psychological and emotional construct determined by a number of factors. As a significant component of social identity, urban identity is determined by how strong an individual's social ties are, whether he is included in long-term stable social groups, which, in turn, forms an emotional assessment of such identity in relation to «his» and «strangers», as well as group values, social norms, stereotypes, behavioral patterns. The author of the article presents the characteristics of urban identity as a result of self-determination of personality, its socialization and adaptation in a particular urban space, in the process of assimilation and reproduction of cultural symbols, accepted norms, traditions, lifestyle of city residents. The relevance of the study of urban identity is determined by the peculiarities of the urban environment and urban lifestyle: the author of the article puts forward a tendency to increase the mobility of the population and a decrease in the role of physical space in the life of a modern person as factors that can create barriers to the formation of a conscious urban identity. The article proves that the self-consciousness and personal identity of city residents are largely determined by various aspects of the cultural space of the city. The impossibility of perceiving urban space in its integrity does not hinder personal identity and self-determination, and the possibility of implementing the social practices of its residents forms their emotional attachment to the city. The formation of urban identity is conditioned by stable, changeable and symbolic factors. The author of the article also identifies parameters that allow assessing the degree of urban identity, among which the uniqueness of the city, identity and positivity of its perception play a decisive role in modern Russian society, which, in turn, determines in many ways the practical potential of urban identity. The conclusion is made about the importance of urban identity among other values of Russians, because active emotional experience and active embodiment of the urban identity of individuals and social groups contributes to the comprehensive economic, social and political development of modern Russian society.

Пространственное распределение экологических параметров человеческого капитала

The article examines the environmental parameters of human capital development by means of spatial statistical analysis. A number of indicators chosen by the authors reflect “resource availability” and “anthropogenic load” and is included in the set of parameters for the development of human capital. The UN member states world map was taken as the coordinate system for the analysis. In this system, the basic law of geography on the “neighborhood factor” was tested. At the same time, the “neighborhood factor” was tested in two kinds of spaces: physical (geometric neighborhood matrix) and geopolitical (geopolitical neighborhood matrix) ones. Both matrices were developed by the Center for Spatial Analysis of International Relations of the Institute for International Studies team, MGIMO University. The authors used multivariate analysis (in this paper, the analysis of the geographic average and multidimensional scaling) to test the hypothesis that in the modern world, physical space and, accordingly, physical neighborhood are not as important as geopolitical space based on ideological neighborhood. However, the study showed that despite the fact that the role of physical space is weakening, it still prevails over geopolitical, at least in such highly geographically determined indicators as the environmental components of human capital.

A Conceptual Framework for Urban Commoning in Shared Residential Landscapes in the UK

This paper uses ideas central to the notion of urban commoning to develop a conceptual framework that can be used to inform the design and management of shared residential landscapes in the UK. Shared residential landscapes provide an important backdrop for everyday social interaction, chance encounters and mutual understanding. A recent revival of the commons concept within the urban context has brought forth new ideas for the design and long-term management of shared urban resources through participation and collective action. However, despite the potential benefits of urban commons for improved quality of urban living, there remains a disconnect between commons and spatial theory, obstructing effective application. Of particular significance are the role of physical space and the design professions in enabling or hindering the collective practice of urban commoning. To address this, this paper reviews the evolution of the commons, the implications for applying them to the urban context, and spatial theories in developing a conceptual framework for their application within the UK residential sector. Finally, the example of cohousing in the UK is drawn upon as an illustration of the urban commons framework. The framework creates a foundation for further research on the design and long-term management of shared residential landscapes as urban commons to benefit the everyday social lives of residential communities.

Power symbols in office workspace: impact on creativity as microfoundation of the dynamic capabilities of the firm

Purpose – to analyse the role of artefacts in creativity as a microfoundation for dynamic capabilities.
 Design/Method/Approach. This conceptual study aims at identifying core aspects of the physical workspace towards power representations and power symbols and delineates impact factors on creativity and its possible implications on the dynamic capabilities of the firm.
 Findings. We suggest that creativity, believed to be a core aspect for innovation, is a microfoundation and one of the most critical elements of dynamic capabilities to sustain and foster the evolutionary and entrepreneurial fitness of the firm.
 Practical implications. While it has been shown that hierarchies and power symbols affect the creative performance within a firm, research on the role of physical space as representation of power and its effect on creativity is still limited. Focusing on artefacts might help firms to evoke creativity and, thus, increase innovativeness and dynamic capabilities of a firm.
 Originality/Value. In fast-paced, globally competitive business environments, sustainable advantage requires unique and difficult-to-replicate dynamic capabilities. Analysis of microfoundations of dynamic capabilities usually goes only one level deeper, e.g. to the concepts of creativity and innovativeness. We made a further step and analyzed artefacts influencing these and other microfoundations.
 Paper type – conceptual.

The role of physical space in labour–management cooperation: A microsociological study in Danish retail

Many studies on labour–management relations have focused on formal cooperation in manufacturing. This calls for further research and theory development on labour–management interactions in private service companies, where cooperation practices appear to be less formal. In this article, a typology of cooperation between managers and employees is developed, based on a microsociological study conducted in the Danish retail trade in 2013. Drawing on six in-depth case studies, the article identifies four different physical spaces of labour–management cooperation: open collective, closed collective, open individual and closed individual. The article discusses the potential and limitations of the four spaces of cooperation for employee influence.

Gender Microaggressions and Learning Environments: The Role of Physical Space in Teaching Pedagogy and Communication

ABSTRACTCareer and technical education (CTE) programs account for a large proportion of student enrollments in community colleges each year. While women tend to dominate CTE enrollments overall, they remain concentrated in historically feminized fields contrary to nontraditional occupations in which less than 25% of workers are females. Drawing on the emerging research on microaggressions and classroom learning environments, this classroom observation research project of more than 80 hours of observations with supplemental student interviews sought to further an understanding of why women are underrepresented in specific CTE fields. The findings of this study indicated two distinct aspects of the classroom environment that helped stew a culture of gender microaggressions: the instructor pedagogy and communication style, and the impact of physical space. Physical structure, instructor pedagogy, and communication create an environment that often emphasizes and perpetuates social norms connecting men and masculinity to CTE and science, technology, engineering, and math education (STEM), which historically have been male-dominated environments. Results from this study extend the research on microaggressions and learning environments and fill a significant gap on gender and CTE.

The Rise of Third Spaces: Modern Forms and Meaning of Work

An increasingly globalized economy and rapidly changing communication technologies have had a fundamental impact on the physical and social nature of work. We highlight the recent emergence of modern work arrangements, Co-working Spaces and Jellies, in order to better understand the changing meaning of work and the role of physical space in creating and giving meaning to work. Despite the benefits of the trend towards teleworking and mobile work we find that many workers who have been left “placeless” are actively searching to re-embed work in shared physical locations. This search for the “third place” gives rise to Co-working Spaces and Jellies, modern work arrangements built around the need for shared location, interaction and community. Through a detailed historical account of evolving work arrangements from the postwar period to the present we trace fundamental changes in the physical location of work and the evolving connection between the space in which work takes place and meaning. We highlight the role of the physical and social context in meaning-making and illustrate the potential of meaning of work to be actively co-created an co- crafted in shared social and physical contexts. Finally, we outline the implications of taking the physical environment more seriously for theories of organizational behaviour more broadly and for managers seeking to drive innovation and employee engagement.

Exploring the propensity to perform social activities: a social network approach

Conceptual and empirical models of the propensity to perform social activity–travel behavior are described, which incorporate the influence of individuals’ social context, namely their social networks. More explicitly, the conceptual model develops the concepts of egocentric social networks, social activities, and social episodes, and defines the three sets of aspects that influence the propensity to perform social activities: individuals’ personal attributes, social network composition, and information and communication technology interaction with social network members. Using the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique and data recently collected in Toronto, the empirical model tests the effect of these three aspects on the propensity to perform social activities. Results suggest that the social networks framework provides useful insights into the role of physical space, social activity types, communication and information technology use, and the importance of “with whom” the activity was performed with. Overall, explicitly incorporating social networks into the activity–travel behavior modeling framework provides a promising framework to understand social activities and key aspects of the underlying behavioral process.

Effective environments for knowledge and learning

Physical space design is important for achieving excellence in learning and knowledge environments. Key influences on knowledge environments are outlined, drawn from theatre and television design, museums and learning, and writing. These influences have led to core design principles for the design of knowledge intensive spaces, including libraries. The use of metaphor has historically proved to be a rich source of inspiration for designers and architects, and this is a key principle for engaging all players in physical space design. Vertical space and lighting are discussed as currently underused resources in many business and learning environments. The vital importance is discussed of engaging front-line workers in a co-determinative design process. The concept is explored of informed and proactive clients, fully engaging with architects and space planners. Such a process is cost effective, and leads to innovative excellent knowledge space, though not always requiring extensive budgets. Business environments can learn much when planning knowledge and learning space from examples drawn from other areas, including libraries and universities which have actively used a process of innovation and experimentation in knowledge space design. A new paradigm of active learning is itself causing universities and other learning institutions to reevaluate the role of physical space in enhancing learning opportunities. Physical space design is one key to effective knowledge and learning environments, requiring a collaborative design process, and a methodology that is underpinned by core principles specific to knowledge work.