In the knowledge economy, where communication technology allows the workforce to be completely mobile, are corporate offices going extinct?
Some statistics would suggest the answer is yes. Many Canadians want to bid their offices goodbye. A 2014 Conference Board of Canada study found that more than 70 per cent of full-time workers aged 18 to 29 would be more satisfied in their jobs if they could work remotely using cloud software.
There is no question that technology provides full mobility for many workers, yet personal interaction remains a fundamental source of innovation in knowledge-based businesses, facilitates creativity and smoother workflow, and builds employees’ sense of identity vis-à-vis the firm.