Factors affecting the development of flexible workplace facilities

Purpose The aim of this paper is to identify the factors that influence the provision of sustainable and flexible office workplace in built-facilities, and further, classify these factors under several categories, where commonalities are shared. Design/methodology/approach The author has analyzed the published literature for the purpose of reviewing the origin of office workplace design and the reasons that promoted the development of flexible workplace in office-based environments. A sum of 18 factors for facilitating the provision of the flexible workplace were identified. These factors were classified under four categories, including planning of the building, layout of the physical workplace, information technology networking, and building service systems. Findings The survey of literature has revealed that there is no comprehensive overview of factors that designers, developers, investors, facility managers, and planners can use to provide sustainable and flexible workplace facilities, where flexibility relates to the concept of the physical layout and functional opportunities of the workspace. Based on a study of the literature, 18 factors for facilitating the provision of the flexible workplace have been identified. Originality/value Designing a sustainable office work environment is as challenging a task today as ever. New ways of working have arisen and new technologies are being introduced into office work activities. This paper presents advice to designers, planners and real estate developers to consider the concept of designing flexible workplaces to meet the emergence of new technologies and the increase in business competition.