Applying new ways of working in university working environment. A case study: Laurea University of Applied Sciences

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to identify New Ways of Working (NWoW) or new work concepts that are applicable for the Laurea University of Applied Sciences working environment. The research focused on the perspective of two different stakeholder groups, which are the employee perspective and management perspective. At present, opportunities offered by modern technologies have reduced importance of time and location with respect to ways of working. Universities or organizations not offering a suitable working environment have to create alternative ways of working for their employees. In this situation, the enhancement of working environment through new ways of working can lead to increased employee performance, productivity and satisfaction.

The theoretical framework of this thesis consists of a basic introduction to new ways of working and the four main focus areas concerning NWoW, namely information technology (IT), physical workplace, organization and people.

The research was conducted using mixed-method approach, consisting of survey (quantitative phase) and interview (qualitative phase). The survey was distributed via an e-form among employees through Laurea intranet, Laurea “Live”, while the interview was conducted with management team. The data obtained from survey were analyzed with SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) program through cross tabulation method.

The result from the employee perspective indicates that age does not affect the application of new ways of working in the Laurea University of Applied Sciences working environment, but the number of working years does affects. The positive attitudes of management towards new ways of working as revealed in the interview provided a clear picture that new ways of working are applicable to the Laurea University of Applied Sciences working environment.