Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics Theses
Title
The Office of the Future: A Case Study on Workplace Effectiveness in the Biopharmaceutical Industry
Document Type
Thesis or dissertation
Date of this Version
4-1-2012
Abstract
Workplace strategies that incorporate office-of-the-future concepts enhance worker productivity and position organizations for radical changes to the ways work will be performed in the future. Due to the many challenges facing companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, many organizations now seek creative workplace improvements to support their continued success. As organizations assess how best to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing and productivity in the workplace, we are witnessing a seismic shift in this industry. A knowledge-based workforce, connected through globalization and empowered by technology, seeks optimal alignment in order to best maximize innovation.
In this thesis, the contextual landscape of the biopharmaceutical industry is provided, the evolution of the workplace is examined, and a case of an office-of-the-future pilot program at a leading biopharmaceutical company is reported. Related elements, such as cost pressures, collaboration, organizational culture and environmental sustainability are interwoven into this paper to provide a multi-perspective analysis of the evolving ways in which work is performed. Companies who haven’t already adopted office-of-the-future concepts should soon examine their workplace strategy.
Date Posted: 26 September 2012
Comments
Submitted to the Program of Organizational Dynamics in the Graduate Division of the School of Arts and Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania
Advisor: Ana Reyes