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Material of Researcher Workshop
on 1.2.2006 at Helsinki University of Technology, on

Workscape Methodologies - how to study communication, collaboration and workplaces in physical, virtual and social spaces?

Analysis of work load factors (and well-being) in mobile work - Ursula Hyrkkänen, Turun ammattikorkeakoulu

CEM – Facilities Services Research Group - Heidi Siekkinen, Helsinki University of Technology

Studying Mobile Workers’ Workspaces - prof. Matti Vartiainen, Laboratory of Work Psychology and Leadership, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Helsinki University of Technology (TKK)

Multidisciplinary Workplace Research - Dr. Suvi Nenonen & Nils Gersberg, M.Sc. (FM), CEM Facility Services Research, Helsinki University of Technology

Studying networks of knowledge sharing - Tuire Palonen, University of Turku

Studying Identification with Virtual Teams: A Communicative Perspective - Anu Sivunen Department of Communication, University of Jyväskylä

A ‘workscape’ is the combination of virtual and real work settings within a work arena, located in a work environment. A work setting is, for example, a sofa and table or a videoconference and e-mail. A work arena is, for example, team area, café and a meeting room. A work environment is, for example, organization office, airport, and home. Harrison, A., Wheeler, P. & Whitehead, C. Eds. (2004) The Distributed Workplace, pp. 56-57. London and New York: Spon Press.

The division of spaces into ‘physical’, ‘mental/social’ and ‘virtual’ is based on the concept of ‘ba’. Ba refers to a shared context in which knowledge is shared, created and utilized by those who interact there. Ba does not just mean physical space, but a specific time and space. Ba unifies the physical space such as an office space, the virtual space such as e-mail, and the mental space such as common experiences, ideas and ideals shared by people with common goals. Today’s working life, the contexts of individuals and groups are combinations of physical, social, cultural and virtual working environments. See: Nonaka, I., Toyama, R. & Konno, N. (2000) SECI, ba and leadership: a unified model of dynamic knowledge creation. Long Range Planning 22, 5-34.