Cultivating place identity at work

Abstract

Despite growing interest in the effect of office design on organizational outcomes, we know relatively little about how physical space influences the formation of identity in the workplace. Borrowing from environmental psychology, we employ the concept of place identity, i.e., self-esteem and distinctiveness derived from one’s physical setting, to explore the interplay between the places in which people work and how they describe their work experiences. In this paper, we describe how the process of introducing a new space to workers can enhance the swift formation of place identity, ultimately leading to enhanced collaboration, work engagement, and organizational commitment. We illuminate that while the physical design of office space matters, equally, if not more important, are the social conditions leaders cultivate within the space. Specifically, understanding the vision for a new office design, having leaders who model and convey a positive attitude about the space, and feeling empowered to adapt the space to meet one’s needs upon move-in can positively impact how workers frame their identity in connection to their workplace. We build on these ideas by providing a set of best practices that leaders can use to support the formation of place identity and conclude by considering the implications of place identity for the hybrid and virtual workplace.