Activity-based workspaces in Eastern academia: exploring user and manager perspectives

This study examines the integration of Activity-Based Working at a Malaysian private university, focusing on the alignment of its principles with academic work in an Eastern cultural context and the role of management in the transition. Semi-structured interviews with 26 participants, including Activity-Based Working users and middle-level managers, revealed key findings. Academics valued its accessible, tech-enabled spaces but raised concerns about privacy, security, personal space, and maintaining academic identity. While Activity-Based Working facilitated cross-department collaboration, it weakened departmental cohesion. From a management perspective, Activity-Based Working supported cost savings and space efficiency. Further analysis indicated that user experience with Activity-Based Working was influenced by cultural norms of deference to authority, masking concerns about the loss of autonomy and professional space. For successful Activity-Based Working implementation, higher education institutions should establish quiet zones, clear workspace guidelines, and foster open communication to address privacy concerns and support collaboration.