“Det får inte bli en så ‘sminka grisen’-situation där man kan köra ett flashigt kontor men en kass personalpolitik”
(2026) SOCK20 20252Department of Sociology
- Abstract
- The purpose of this study is to examine the significance of the office environment for organizations’ attractiveness as employers, as well as how the office environment may influence both efficiency and employee satisfaction in the workplace. The study particularly focuses on
workplaces characterized by innovative, aesthetic, and experience-based office solutions. By analyzing the relationship between physical work environment factors, experiences of well-being, and work-related performance, the study aims to contribute to a deeper
understanding of the role of the office environment in employer branding and organizational sustainability. These perspectives enable an analysis of how physical office environments influence motivation,... (More) - The purpose of this study is to examine the significance of the office environment for organizations’ attractiveness as employers, as well as how the office environment may influence both efficiency and employee satisfaction in the workplace. The study particularly focuses on
workplaces characterized by innovative, aesthetic, and experience-based office solutions. By analyzing the relationship between physical work environment factors, experiences of well-being, and work-related performance, the study aims to contribute to a deeper
understanding of the role of the office environment in employer branding and organizational sustainability. These perspectives enable an analysis of how physical office environments influence motivation, social interaction, identity formation and organizational culture, as well as how offices communicate values both internally and externally.
A qualitative research design was applied, based on semi-structured interviews with employees and experts within HR, architecture and workplace strategy. The selection consisted of respondents from organizations characterized by innovative, aesthetic and experience-based office environments. The study follows an abductive approach, where empirical material and theory are continuously related throughout the analytical process. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through thematic coding. The findings show that the office continues to hold an important role as a social meeting place and as a carrier of organizational culture, rather than primarily as a space for individual focused work. Aesthetic and experience-based offices
can strengthen both internal and external employer branding by signaling organizational identity, values and care for employees. However, the analysis also reveals that such investments risk
being perceived as a “lipstick on a pig” strategy if they are not supported by a coherent organizational culture and genuine personnel policies. The office’s attractiveness is therefore closely linked to how well physical design aligns with leadership, work conditions and
employees’ actual needs. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9220462
- author
- Althin, Emma LU and Segovia Lundh, Isabella LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SOCK20 20252
- year
- 2026
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- Employer branding, activity-based office, organizational culture, office aesthetics, hybrid work
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9220462
- date added to LUP
- 2026-01-22 16:52:25
- date last changed
- 2026-01-22 16:52:25
@misc{9220462,
abstract = {{The purpose of this study is to examine the significance of the office environment for organizations’ attractiveness as employers, as well as how the office environment may influence both efficiency and employee satisfaction in the workplace. The study particularly focuses on
workplaces characterized by innovative, aesthetic, and experience-based office solutions. By analyzing the relationship between physical work environment factors, experiences of well-being, and work-related performance, the study aims to contribute to a deeper
understanding of the role of the office environment in employer branding and organizational sustainability. These perspectives enable an analysis of how physical office environments influence motivation, social interaction, identity formation and organizational culture, as well as how offices communicate values both internally and externally.
A qualitative research design was applied, based on semi-structured interviews with employees and experts within HR, architecture and workplace strategy. The selection consisted of respondents from organizations characterized by innovative, aesthetic and experience-based office environments. The study follows an abductive approach, where empirical material and theory are continuously related throughout the analytical process. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through thematic coding. The findings show that the office continues to hold an important role as a social meeting place and as a carrier of organizational culture, rather than primarily as a space for individual focused work. Aesthetic and experience-based offices
can strengthen both internal and external employer branding by signaling organizational identity, values and care for employees. However, the analysis also reveals that such investments risk
being perceived as a “lipstick on a pig” strategy if they are not supported by a coherent organizational culture and genuine personnel policies. The office’s attractiveness is therefore closely linked to how well physical design aligns with leadership, work conditions and
employees’ actual needs.}},
author = {{Althin, Emma and Segovia Lundh, Isabella}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{“Det får inte bli en så ‘sminka grisen’-situation där man kan köra ett flashigt kontor men en kass personalpolitik”}},
year = {{2026}},
}