Article for The Gauzette
Angie O’Gram, the editor of The Gauzette, Gauze and Effect’s monthly e-newsletter, has approached you about writing an article. She’d like you to write about the workspace design initiative. Your article will help explain the initiative to the organization’s network of volunteers.
Angie has given you a list of topics and questions that she would like you to discuss in the article. Using the resources about workspace designs (which is also linked in the What to Submit section), answer these questions:
- Compare and contrast cultural and historic definitions of work and workspace using examples:
- How do different cultures define work and workspaces? What are some examples?
- How have definitions of work and workspaces changed over time?
- How do different groups in a culture define work and workspace?
- Explain how other definitions of workplaces compare to the culture of your current or former employer. Also consider how these definitions compare to the broader societal culture. Share some examples:
- How does your workspace represent the culture of your current or previous employer?
- How does the culture of your current or former employer relate to the larger societal culture?
- How do that employer’s values compare to the values of your society and culture?
- Describe the relationship between your culture and your ideas about work and workers:
- How does your societal culture fit with your self-concept as a worker? Explain your answer.
- Explain how studying the humanities can help you understand artistic merit:
- How has learning about the humanities changed the way you notice artistic merit? How has it impacted what you see in artifacts and your surrounding environment?
You can use the provided resources and conduct some of your own research. If you decide to conduct your own research, make sure that the resources are authoritative. Remember that you must cite your sources in the article.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The design of the workspace has become increasingly important in recent years. A well-designed workspace can increase productivity and employee satisfaction, while a poorly designed workspace can have the opposite effect. In this article, we will explore the cultural and historical definitions of work and workspace, the relationship between the culture of the workplace and the larger societal culture, and how studying the humanities can help us understand artistic merit.
1. Compare and contrast cultural and historic definitions of work and workspace using examples:
Different cultures have their definitions of work and workspaces. For instance, in Japan, the concept of kaizen or continuous improvement is emphasized in the workplace, and the workspace is designed to promote collaboration and teamwork. In contrast, individualism is highly valued in Western cultures, and the workspace is usually designed to provide employees with privacy and personal space.
The definition of work and workspace has also changed over time. For example, in the industrial age, the workspace was designed for mass production and efficiency, while in the information age, the focus is on creativity and innovation. In addition, different groups in a culture may define work and workspace differently; for instance, managers may view the workspace as a place to boost productivity, while employees may view it as a place for social interaction and personal expression.
2. Explain how other definitions of workplaces compare to the culture of your current or former employer. Also consider how these definitions compare to the broader societal culture. Share some examples:
The culture of a workplace is often reflected in its physical design. For instance, an open floor plan may reflect a culture of collaboration and teamwork, while private offices may reflect a culture of hierarchy and individualism. In my current workplace, the open floor plan promotes collaboration and communication, which is consistent with the broader societal culture of embracing diversity and inclusivity. Our employer’s values align with the values of our society in promoting collaboration, innovation, and creativity.
3. Describe the relationship between your culture and your ideas about work and workers:
Our societal culture influences how we view work and workers. For instance, in some cultures, work is seen as a necessary means to survival, while in others, it is seen as a fulfilling and meaningful activity. These views shape our self-concept as a worker. In my culture, work is seen as both a means of survival and a way to pursue personal fulfillment. Therefore, my self-concept as a worker is tied to the belief that I should not only earn a living but also find meaning and satisfaction in my work.
4. Explain how studying the humanities can help you understand artistic merit:
Studying the humanities can broaden our perspective and help us appreciate the artistic merit in different forms of expression. By learning about the cultural and historical context of art, literature, and music, we can better understand the meaning behind them and how they reflect the values and beliefs of different cultures. This knowledge can help us appreciate the beauty of different forms of expression and understand how they contribute to our understanding of the world.
