Purpose The aim of this paper is to present findings from the research project “Oscar – Value for Owners and Users of Buildings” and investigate two research questions: What in early-phase planning of real estate projects and facilities management creates value for owners and users of buildings? Do respondents in private enterprises, public administrations and hybrid organizations have different priorities during early-phase planning of buildings and facilities management concerning which factors creates value for owners and users of buildings? Design/methodology/approach This study is based on a national survey (N = 837) among Norwegian owners and users of buildings where the respondents report their emphasis on economic, social, environmental and physical aspects during early-phase planning of buildings. The data have been analysed through descriptive statistics, ranking of means and one-way ANOVA supplemented with bootstrapping. Findings Many Norwegian owners and users of buildings emphasize short-term financials and seem to overlook recent research concerning what creates long-term value such as life-cycle planning and the buildings’ elasticity, flexibility, generality. Respondents employed by private enterprises seem to have shorter time horizon than respondents employed by hybrid organizations and public administrations. Research limitations/implications Further empirical research in Norway and preferably also in other countries, based on surveys with large random samples of respondents is needed to establish whether it is possible to generalize this study’s findings. Practical implications Increased emphasis during early-phase planning of buildings on aspects creating long-term value can significantly increase the buildings’ value creation for owners and users. This article indicates some attention areas and possible strategies during early-phase planning to improve the long-term value creation for owners and users. Originality/value This is an empirical study (national survey) with particular emphasis on how early-phase planning of buildings can contribute to value creation for users and owners during the buildings’ use phase.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to know how do early-phase planning of real estate (RE) and facilities management (FM) create value for owners and users of commercial and public sector buildings. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected in Norway in 2015 through a national online survey (N = 837). The sample gives a good picture of Norwegian owners’ and even users on tactical-level (customer) perspectives on RE and FM. The data have been analysed through descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. The hypotheses have been tested through analyses of correlations and ordinary least square (OLS) linear regressions. Findings Exploratory factor analysis made it possible to establish seven composite variables (constructs). Based on these seven constructs, six hypotheses were derived and tested. Obstacles and financials have no significant effect on buildings’ perceived usability. The most important factors during early-phase planning that influence buildings’ perceived usability and lifetime value creation are measures promoting environment and life-cycle costs (LCC), FM, adaptability and image. Research limitations/implications Further empirical and preferably, comparative studies are needed to establish whether the findings can be generalized. The study has shown that a building’s usability and lifetime value creation is largely determined by decisions made during early phase planning. Practical implications Well-founded early-phase planning of RE and FM may actually provide very high return on the investments and significantly improve the buildings’ lifetime value creation for owners and users. Early-phase planning is also of great importance both for buildings’ physical design, as well as for successful FM during the buildings’ use phase, and may prevent irreversible blunders. Originality/value This is a large N empirical study in Norway. The findings indicate what owner and users of buildings should emphasize during early phase planning.

Purpose: This paper investigates factors that influence effective workplace designs for knowledge workers. Design/methodology/approach: During spring 2016, the employees in a large Norwegian institution for research and higher education, a large consultancy company and a medium size consultancy company (in total 4367 employees) received invitations to participate in an anonymous online survey about workplaces and facilities. 1670 employees (38.2 per cent response rate) answered the survey. The data have been analysed with IBM SPSS version 23, among others through use of exploratory factor analysis and two-way ANOVA. Findings: Most respondents at the institution for research and higher education have cell offices. Most respondents in the two consultancy companies have open and flexible offices. This study indicates the respondents' preferences or perception of their workstation and workplace's fit for their tasks is affected both by the respondents' type of office and how much time they spend at their workstation during the week. Practical implications: The present research indicates that facility managers and others responsible for office and workplace design are advised to take the employees' work patterns into consideration when designing workplaces and providing offices and workstations to their end-users. The present research also indicates that employees require different kinds of support facilities depending on what kind of offices and workplaces they have. Originality/value: This is a large N empirical study among knowledge workers in three organisations, one public administration and two private enterprises. The present research indicates that provision of offices and workstations with supporting facilities should be differentiated according to the end-users' work tasks and work patterns.

PurposeOne of the challenges in higher education is how to teach creativity; i.e. the ability to think outside the box and beyond standard textbook solutions. This paper seeks to explore what is creativity, whether it is possible to learn creativity, and if so, how to facilitate learning of creativity. One such method is innovation camps. The paper asks, is it possible to transfer the experiences from innovation camps to other kinds of organizations and settings?Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on one qualitative and two quantitative surveys.FindingsInterdisciplinary teams of students from different educations who did not know each other before the innovation camps were able to work together and produce creative and innovative concepts. The students' learning outcomes differed, depending on their education.Research limitations/implicationsThis study indicates that interdisciplinary teams where the participants do not know each other in advance may produce creative and innovative concepts if the process is properly organized.Social implicationsMany of the experiences from innovation camps about how to facilitate learning of creativity are most likely transferable to other organizations and settings. Creativity is an important determinant of future wealth and prosperity.Originality/valueThe paper provides new insight for those interested in how to develop creativity, particularly in teams where the team members do not know each other in advance.