Mary Kaaria’s thesis investigated how office work practices shape and are shaped by the office setup, offering insights into the dynamic relationship between work activities and the physical environment in which they unfold. Conducted in Kenya, the research applies social practice theory to conceptualize office work as a social activity influenced by both organizational norms and individual worker preferences.
The research sought to address three key questions: (i) What determines where and when office work practices are enacted? (ii) How do office work practices interconnect and terminate, and what informs the selection and arrangement of objects used to support or conclude these practices? (iii) How do the meanings lent to objects and spaces influence the spatial and temporal arrangement of the office setup? To explore these questions, the researcher adopted an ethnographic approach.
Key findings of the research is the illustration the office work is dynamic. Where and when work practices are enacted is influenced by, amongst others, the norms of the organization, the functional readiness of objects, and workers’ pursuit of convenience. The research also illustrates that office workers often negotiated their priorities, rearranging objects and spaces to optimize their workflow and meet competing demands. Therefore, office work practices frequently intersected and terminated as workers transferred or converted information among themselves or between objects. The research also demonstrates that the meanings assigned to objects and spaces—whether related to function or symbolism—played a significant role in how office work unfolded.
This research concludes that the office setup, though seemingly static, is continually adjusted by office workers to align with their evolving work practices and intentions. Flexibility and adaptability emerged as central themes, highlighting the importance of designing workspaces that support both functional and symbolic roles while accommodating the dynamic nature of office work. It underscores the need for office environments that are responsive to worker preferences and capable of evolving alongside organizational and individual needs.
This research makes methodological contribution to post-occupancy studies and studies on the office environment. It contributes to organisational studies and to the study of social practices. Additionally, the research contributes to the study of office work in the global south. The study offers valuable insights for workplace designers, facilities managers, and corporate real estate professionals.
The thesis can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.48683/1926.00120153