Man kan inte nå det nya om man lever kvar i det gamla : En kvalitativ studie om aktivitetsbaserat arbetssätt på "Framtidens arbetsplats"

Sammanfattning: The work environment in Activity-based working (ABW) should be adapted based on the needs and activities that the business requires. Employees lack their own place and are expected to move depending on the task. The working method entails flexibility for both the organization and the employees. The development of digitalization in society has contributed to why ABW has become increasingly popular. Implementation procedure is perceived to influence the outcome and acceptance of the working method. The expectations with ABW are that strengthened self-leadership and increased responsibility will promote productivity and efficiency. This study has a qualitative approach and aims to identify factors that influence the design and implementation of ABW in a public organization. With the help of an abductive approach, the results of the study have emerged. The empirical material was collected through three semi-structured interviews and an online survey. Each of the respondents were involved in the transformation process and the implementation of ABW at “Framtidens arbetsplats” in Skellefteå municipality. The study intends to provide a deeper explanation regarding which factors have been prominent and what effects they have led to. The previous research in the subject contributed to the direction of the study and resulted in three main areas: The transformation process, design and custom-built as well as management and control. The empirical material was analyzed and compared against the theoretical frame of reference. The results show that the respondents' experience of ABW varied, but with a predominantly positive response. ABW was implemented to streamline the use of premises, but that was not communicated to the employees. Participation has been expressed as an important factor throughout the process, but it can also be perceived as involuntary and that the concept is forced on the employees. The working method is adapted to the modern mobile generation and can be seen as discriminating against those who are not as receptive. ABW can not only be introduced at the start since it appears that maintaining and updating are important factors. How employees accept the working method largely depends on managers' views and actions and the corporate culture. According to the results trust-based leadership is applied to the “Framtidens arbetsplats”, which is required because controllability decreases with ABW. Weaknesses in design have been identified since it does not meet everyone's needs based on their tasks. To talk undisturbed is a need that has emerged as an important factor, since classified information is part of their work. Social relations in the workplace are expressed as having been strengthened and weakened. Many expressed social distancing as an effect of ABW, which in turn has created a nesting behavior. It appears that work from home is appreciated, which we believe will affect ABW. This is therefore a proposal for research in future studies.