Workplace ecology

A 'workplace' is defined as a shared location where people collaborate in organisational settings. It consists of physical space, such as an office building, shop or factory, complete with supporting infrastructure and business technologies. It is distinct from a place where people do work, such as home or school, and where they are either self-employed or unemployed and not part of an organisational structure for the purpose of business activities. Workplaces act as eco-systems that are important to business goals and ultimate success. They need to be conducive to gaining and retaining valuable knowledge workers, enabling them to perform at their best in a supportive and well-designed environment (Vischer, 2005). Workplace ecology, therefore, is when orgnisation, space and technology are in harmony to support human endeavour.
It has been recently said that "Americans are increasingly unhappy with their jobs and work environments" (Tam, 2013). This phenomenon may apply more broadly. The aim in this chapter is to explore a new method for measuring workplace ecology on the understanding that a workplace is a human eco-system supported by organisation, space and technology infrastructure. Through such an approach, a better understanding of workplace performance can be established.