Successful distributed work arrangements: a developmental approach

Purpose – To provide understanding in developing high‐performance distributed work arrangements (DWA), suggestions for an evaluation framework for analysis of DWA options, and to discuss the expected role of facility management (FM) in DWA. Design/methodology/approach – A self‐evaluation table was developed to provide an example of how to assess the potential appropriateness for establishing DWA within an organization. Additionally, relevant attributes demonstrating an organization's level of appropriateness toward DWA are evaluated. Findings – The best decisions regarding DWA have major impacts to an organization's resources and productivity, and can be aided by critical analysis of more complex factors and attributes to gain insight into these important decision‐making processes. FM support is critical to this decision making. Research limitations/implications – This paper only shows a simple interdependency typology among factors and the importance of possible levels of relevant attributes toward the level of DWA successfulness. Since, a causal relationship between DWA attributes and the success of DWA is expected, there is a need for further research focusing on the exact relationship by manipulating independent variables and observing dependent variables such as DWA successfulness. Practical implications – Improved decision making for FM in support of organizational objectives and within existing resources will enable FM to improve their value to an organization with this analysis tool. Originality/value – A unique approach to evaluation of four key factors, correlated with eight attributes of the organization provide a customizable analysis tool to aid FM in bringing valuable decision making to their organization regarding distributed workplace arrangements.