Aesthetics from a design perspective

Abstract

Purpose -This paper aims to explore the relationship between aspects of aesthetics and the performance of organizations. It outlines a research agenda for studying the impact of aesthetic factors upon organizational design and change. Design/methodology/approach -In the paper, a set of seven propositions is developed to address various aspects of organizational performance that are influenced by beauty in organizations. These propositions are based on a distinction between the concepts process aesthetics, product aesthetics and aesthetic sensibility. Findings -The hypotheses suggest that organizational performance might be enhanced by the beauty of products and services, and indirectly by the aesthetics of organizational work processes, organizational structures, the personal well-being of employees and organizational designers with a high degree of aesthetic sensibility. Research limitations/implications -The hypothesis in this paper should be tested by future researchers. Practical implications -The paper might enhance the awareness of practitioners of the practical value of aesthetics Originality/value -The paper adds to the new field of organizational aesthetics a performance-oriented approach based on a design perspective.

Organizational Aesthetic Capability and Firm Product and Process Innovativeness

“…Next, the role of environmental conditions like volatility, complexity, and ambiguity as predictors of organizational aesthetic capability requires more investigation. Further, organizational aesthetic capability may be investigated in service innovation context, as it focus on senses and perceptive faculties that guide -gut feelings‖ about a particular choice or decision (Weggeman, Lammers, & Akkermans 2007).…”

Organization aesthetics in nursing homes

“…Aesthetics, however, is not reduced to an axis of beauty and ugliness, but also has many‐sided and deeper meanings. Weggeman et al. (2007) state that in addition to beauty, aesthetics refers, for example, to harmony and peace; simple and complete; provoking and challenging; surprising and innovative; all of these being qualities that also merit consideration in health and social care environments.…”

Aestheticization and the "Seduced Manager": Breaking the Silence of Aestheticization of Managerial Life in Sri Lanka's Corporate Sector

“…By being exposed to the aestheticized work environment, organisational members gain aesthetic experiences in their daily routine. However, aesthetic experiences of organisational members have been brought into discussion by previous scholars only rarely (see Alferoff and Knights, 2003;Harding, 2003;Warren, 2002;Weggeman et al, 2007). There is no evidence on studies done in the Sri Lankan context, in relation to this research phenomenon.…”

“…As it is identified, in the present context, aesthetic attributes are incorporated into the working life in order to increase the commitment and morale of the organisational members to work towards achieving the goals and objectives of the organisation. When people are allowed to gain sensually appealing experiences they tend to work more productively, thereby aestheticization leads to enhance the performance of the organisation (Gagliardi, 1999;Schmitt &Simonson, 1997;Weggeman, et al ,2007). Aestheticized artefacts and activities within an organisation are accepted as capable enough to detract organisational members from boredom and stress engendered by the rigid nature of work and its intensity.…”

“…Two separate types of aesthetics have been identified by Weggeman, et al (2007) as 'process aesthetics' and 'result aesthetics'. They argue that, when a person is really engaged in creating an artefact in an organisation, the experience of beauty gained can be claimed as process aesthetics.…”