What is behind the mouse click? Technology is driving physical changes in the space occupied by the industrial and office sectors

Abstract

The world of business is changing rapidly. It is truly global and the speed of change — driven by the Internet and the amount of data that is being created and analysed to provide new and better services — is astonishing. Technology is driving disruptive innovation in the ways that business is conducted; the channels, both physical and virtual; and the partners involved in the process. This is having a fundamental effect on the way real estate is used across all sectors — retail, office, manufacturing, warehousing, and research and development. This paper takes a look at just some of the changes that are occurring, focusing on two areas: the e-commerce world and the impact it is having on warehousing and logistics, and the changing nature of work and the role of the workplace. In both areas, the role of the physical space is becoming more important despite the increasing importance of technology. On the one hand, warehouse design, operation and the supply chain is critical to online retailers (e-tailers), who want to be able to deliver products to consumers at the click of a mouse. On the other hand, businesses are waking up to the fact that the way the workplace is used and managed is critical in enhancing the effectiveness of the organisation in terms of collaboration and attracting talent.