Reevaluating organisational structures to stimulate creativity and wellbeing

Creativity as a driver for quality of life

This article is part of a series that explores how the Danish creative industries play a pivotal role in improving quality of life at a consumer, organisational, and societal level. Find links to the other chapters in the series at the bottom of this article.

Creativity and innovation flourish when individuals have time for relaxation, family, personal growth, and idea incubation. A healthy work-life balance not only reduces stress but also enhances overall wellbeing and job satisfaction. By prioritising employees' quality of life through new ways of working and organising, organisations can foster a productive and engaged workforce that drives growth and generates positive financial outcomes. This underscores the need to reevaluate organisational structures and develop ecosystems that support both employee and organisational goals.

This chapter is written by Bo Christensen , Professor and PhD at Copenhagen Business School. He explores how companies can implement new ways of working and organising that significantly improve quality of life for employees while also stimulating creativity. Bo touches upon topics like immersive and interactive experiences using XR technology that have the potential to reduce workplace injuries, cut downtime, and help bring teams together even in remote work settings. He also stresses the importance of considering the physical environment where work and learning occur. The chapter features inspirational cases from &Co. / NoA, SynergyXR, and WOBA, showcasing different innovative ways to secure a good work environment.

Innovating organisational structures by nurturing new ways of working and recognising the value of work-life balance

Author: Bo Christensen, Professor and PhD at ‘imagine.. Centre for Creative Industries and Institutions’, Copenhagen Business School.

Organisations serve as the main fountain for the flow of new creative products and solutions that improve the quality of people’s lives. By fostering new ways of working, companies can significantly improve the wellbeing of their employees as well as create more innovative approaches.?

In our rapidly changing world, organisations face the challenge of adapting to a dynamic environment. This transformation isn't just about enhancing the bottom line; it's about creating an ecosystem that uplifts the quality of life for individuals and society.

Traditionally, organisations relied heavily on hierarchical structures characterised by clear chains of command and standardised processes. In today’s world, this approach struggles to keep up with an evolving landscape. Modern organisations need to adapt swiftly, encourage innovation, and attract and retain the best talent. A fundamental shift is required.

We must reevaluate the way we design our organisational structures, with a sharp focus on fostering creativity. By rethinking leadership roles, enabling direct communication in an increasingly hybrid world, and granting employees more autonomy, we can flatten hierarchies and create a space for ideas to flow freely.

Introducing new ways of working

As our world evolves, so do the ways we work and connect. The incorporation of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology for product launches, demos, and training lessons is a prime example of this. These technologies open new possibilities for creativity and collaboration. By providing immersive and interactive experiences, VR and AR technology has the potential to reduce stress, foster engagement, and help bring teams together, even in remote work settings.

Alongside organisational changes, it's crucial to consider the physical environment where work and learning occur. Factors such as natural light, ergonomic workspaces, and stimulating and comfortable surroundings have a significant impact on wellbeing and creativity. Organisations should invest in designing and maintaining physical spaces that reduce stress, enhance focus, and promote creative thinking.

Recognising the value of work-life balance

A well-balanced work-life is essential to improve quality of life. Creativity and innovation thrive when individuals have time for relaxation, family, personal growth, and letting their ideas incubate. Encouraging work-life balance not only reduces stress but also enhances overall wellbeing and job satisfaction. Recognising the value of this balance, employers can significantly contribute to a higher quality of life for their employees.

We are increasingly experiencing Danish companies ready to challenge the status quo and test out new workflows and organisational structures. As an example, the Danish design company, UMAGE, introduced a 4-day work week in 2019 to improve work satisfaction and quality of life. They streamlined operations and increased productivity without overworking by adjusting a broad variety of tasks and approaches to their work. The transition involved restructuring departments and focusing on work hours, which has to date improved productivity and employee satisfaction. The change from five to a four-day workweek, increased rest and free-thinking time, heightening creativity and reducing stress with employees. ?At the same time, Umage maintained revenue while considerably improving profits.

The effectiveness of creative organisational changes can be challenging to measure using traditional metrics such as revenue and profit margins. Instead, organisations should consider assessing employee satisfaction, retention rates, and the frequency of innovative ideas brought to fruition. Qualitative data, such as personal anecdotes and success stories, can also offer valuable insights into the impact of creative organisational structures on preventing dissatisfaction and stress.

In the cases below it is shown how organisations can revamp their structures to foster creativity, prevent dissatisfaction, and reduce stress among employees. By flattening hierarchies, promoting cross-functional collaboration, embracing flexible work arrangements, integrating immersive technology, nurturing leadership, and considering the physical environment and work-life balance, organisations can create an environment that not only benefits the bottom line and supports reaching organisational goals but also Increase quality of life, benefitting employees and society at large.

Cases

&Co. / NoA: The ballet of creativity - creating an optimal work environment for generating great ideas

To enhance creativity post-lockdown, &Co. / NoA dedicated 2500 billable working hours to ballet classes, forming an in-house ballet company. This experiment stripped away titles and challenged and reunited the agency. The ballet classes emphasized the importance of psychological safety, fostering an environment where sharing half-baked ideas, whether ridiculous or brilliant, was encouraged.

&Co. / NoA's international success isn't due to employees being able to nail a plié but their culture of supporting unconventional initiatives. The agency thrives on openness and psychological safety, crucial for generating world-class creative ideas. Read the case: https://bit.ly/3RIg3Dm

WOBA: Enhancing work environments and employee satisfaction with technology

Woba.io ’s founders imagined a world without endless, time-consuming and reactive employee surveys where companies could use employee feedback to predict and prevent stress and staff turnover before it happens.

WOBA is a predictive and preventive HR software using anonymous feedback to reveal hidden workplace risks, offering early warnings for stress and disengagement. Its 360% Employee Experience Pulse simplifies feedback through a gamified app, promoting engagement and wellbeing. The system’s AI-driven management analytics provide actionable plans based on predictive results, demonstrating measurable improvements and revolutionising the employee experience.

WOBA has revolutionised how HR traditionally works with wellbeing and engagement, with innovative analytics software leveraging employee feedback to measure, predict, and prevent burnout and staff turnover. Read the case: https://bit.ly/3XFF45V

SynergyXR: Using VR to reduce risk and enhance manufacturing training

SynergyXR , in collaboration with Saint-Gobain Isover, is revolutionising employee training in manufacturing with VR simulations. This innovative approach provides safe, immersive, on-demand training, merging practical experience with a risk-free environment.

Traditional hands-on training in manufacturing is risky and costly. SynergyXR’s VR program advances skills, reduces workplace injuries, and cuts downtime, improving the experience for both employees and company. The program includes a 1:1 virtual replica of Isover's production facility, offering comprehensive training without exposing employees to dangerous machinery. Read the case: ?https://bit.ly/3VUbI2l

Read the rest of the series right here:

Architecting Happiness

More than entertainment: The evolution of the audiovisual industry ?

Danish design: A human-centred approach

Fostering a creative learning environment

Innovating urban planning: The role of creative solutions in smart city design

Reevaluating organisational structures to stimulate creativity and wellbeing

Creative Denmark assists international stakeholders and decision makers in exploring solutions, products, and processes within the Danish creative industries. As a not-for-profit, public-private partnership Creative Denmark’s primary objective is to connect international demand for innovative solutions with Danish creative companies and competencies. Focus is on raising awareness about the transformative potential of Danish creativity as a driver for sustainability and increased quality of life.

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Creative Denmark is funded by a strong group of public and private partners: Erhvervsministeriet , Udenrigsministeriet , Kulturministeriet , DI - Dansk Industri / DI Kreative Erhverv , Dansk Erhverv , and Realdania .