The changing patterns of work environments in a global society: toward an employee-centered framework for workplace design

Certainty about the change of work environments, the permanence of this change, and the associated behavioral" "phenomena represent a challenge decision makers face to value people as an integral component of organizational and physical development processes. Globalization and trans-national practices have led to the emergence of multinational organizations. As a result, people with different cultural backgrounds come together to perform tasks for their organization. This paper bases its argument on the need to understand the employees through their direct involvement in the process of introducing physical changes in their environment. Centered on the principles of theory Z of collaborative management, an employee-centered framework is introduced and developed. It is envisaged as an interaction mechanism for involving employees in the decision making process of designing or redesigning their work environments. Addressing employees in the early stages of the process would ensure incorporating their functional and psychological needs, preferences, and the work style mandated by the culture of an organization. Implementing the proposed framework would help create a healthy and productive while achieving the mission and goals of an organization.