Table 2 A list of arguments related to... | Emerald Publishing

Table 2

A list of arguments related to characteristics, enablers and outcomes of hot-desking

Dimensions	Description
Characteristics
Exchangeable space	Employees have no more right of exclusive ownership to an office desk than to a seat on a bus or at a restaurant table (Hirst, 2011). Conversely, spaces are claimed or booked on a daily/temporary basis (Hedge, 1982)
Emphasis on flexibility and autonomy	Hot-desking is designed to support a flexible work style. Employees have the autonomy to choose a workspace that best fits their needs for a particular day or task (Coenen and Kok, 2014; Millward et al., 2007)
Space usage variety	Hot-desking is not only about reclaiming unused space but also creating space for a variety of new uses and activities (Laing, 1990)
Spatial distribution	Hot-desking is intended to foster spontaneous interactions and collaboration; however, it results in employees being scattered across disparate zones of the office (Chua et al., 2023; Masoudinejad and Veitch, 2023)
Non-territorial settings	Hot-desking is typically paired with a “Clear Desk Policy,” which requires employees to remove all personal belongings upon departure (Elsbach, 2003; Hirst, 2011). To facilitate this, workstations are highly standardized, ensuring that any staff member can seamlessly transition and begin working at any available location (Kim et al., 2016)
Enablers
Technologies	Desk sharing and remote work rely on advanced technology to ensure efficiency matches that of traditional desk setups (Laing, 1990). As Internet access, smartphones and portable computers become more widespread, work is no longer confined to fixed office locations (Joroff, 2002)
Changing business process	With modern business practices and increased employee flexibility in when and where they work, many now spend parts of the day away from the employer's office (Hugh Fawcett, 2009). In turn, more offices and desks remain unoccupied during business hours (James et al., 2021)
Lack of resources	Given the cost associated with office accommodation (e.g. rent, heating or cooling, lighting, interior fitting, furniture, service, etc.) and property management can be substantial, some businesses may opt for hot-desking practices so that they can rent a smaller office, thus saving rent expense (Hedge, 1982; Kim et al., 2016)
Outcomes
Cost-saving	Cost savings arise from more intensive use of office space – often measured by the number of desks per ten staff – since total space need not grow in proportion to headcount (Duffy, 2000)
Agility	Flexi-desking can indirectly benefit organizations by making workplaces more adaptable to rapid changes, such as expansion, downsizing or team restructuring (Gibson, 2003). With depersonalized workstations in desk-sharing setups, relocating staff becomes easier compared to traditional workplaces (Breu et al., 2002; Kim et al., 2016)
Increased interactions between colleagues	Hot-desking typically offers more opportunities for interaction, knowledge sharing and collaboration, as employees are no longer tied to specific desks (Elsbach, 2003; Kissmer et al., 2018). However, it also brings increased noise, distractions and privacy concerns (James et al., 2021; Kim et al., 2016). Some researchers suggest it may distance co-worker relationships (Taskin et al., 2019), while the loss of daily workspace ownership can create practical and social tensions (Hirst, 2011)
Time wastage	More time is required to locate team members, find a desk to work at upon arrival and set up and pack up the workstation (Kim et al., 2016). In the worst case, workers may encounter a long period of displacement (unable to find a desk) before they can be settled and start their work (Hugh Fawcett, 2009)
Health and well-being	While hot-desking helps reduce employees' sedentary behavior (Masoudinejad and Veitch, 2023), it results in ergonomic discomfort (Kim et al., 2016) arising from the use of standardized furniture and a heavy reliance on portable laptops. Also, although hot-desking can reduce loneliness through increased interaction, it undermines employee well-being by decreasing job satisfaction (Chmiel, 2025) and causing emotional exhaustion with increased exposure to unwanted environmental stimuli (Danielsson and Theorell, 2024)

Dimensions	Description
Characteristics
Exchangeable space	Employees have no more right of exclusive ownership to an office desk than to a seat on a bus or at a restaurant table (Hirst, 2011). Conversely, spaces are claimed or booked on a daily/temporary basis (Hedge, 1982)
Emphasis on flexibility and autonomy	Hot-desking is designed to support a flexible work style. Employees have the autonomy to choose a workspace that best fits their needs for a particular day or task (Coenen and Kok, 2014; Millward et al., 2007)
Space usage variety	Hot-desking is not only about reclaiming unused space but also creating space for a variety of new uses and activities (Laing, 1990)
Spatial distribution	Hot-desking is intended to foster spontaneous interactions and collaboration; however, it results in employees being scattered across disparate zones of the office (Chua et al., 2023; Masoudinejad and Veitch, 2023)
Non-territorial settings	Hot-desking is typically paired with a “Clear Desk Policy,” which requires employees to remove all personal belongings upon departure (Elsbach, 2003; Hirst, 2011). To facilitate this, workstations are highly standardized, ensuring that any staff member can seamlessly transition and begin working at any available location (Kim et al., 2016)
Enablers
Technologies	Desk sharing and remote work rely on advanced technology to ensure efficiency matches that of traditional desk setups (Laing, 1990). As Internet access, smartphones and portable computers become more widespread, work is no longer confined to fixed office locations (Joroff, 2002)
Changing business process	With modern business practices and increased employee flexibility in when and where they work, many now spend parts of the day away from the employer's office (Hugh Fawcett, 2009). In turn, more offices and desks remain unoccupied during business hours (James et al., 2021)
Lack of resources	Given the cost associated with office accommodation (e.g. rent, heating or cooling, lighting, interior fitting, furniture, service, etc.) and property management can be substantial, some businesses may opt for hot-desking practices so that they can rent a smaller office, thus saving rent expense (Hedge, 1982; Kim et al., 2016)
Outcomes
Cost-saving	Cost savings arise from more intensive use of office space – often measured by the number of desks per ten staff – since total space need not grow in proportion to headcount (Duffy, 2000)
Agility	Flexi-desking can indirectly benefit organizations by making workplaces more adaptable to rapid changes, such as expansion, downsizing or team restructuring (Gibson, 2003). With depersonalized workstations in desk-sharing setups, relocating staff becomes easier compared to traditional workplaces (Breu et al., 2002; Kim et al., 2016)
Increased interactions between colleagues	Hot-desking typically offers more opportunities for interaction, knowledge sharing and collaboration, as employees are no longer tied to specific desks (Elsbach, 2003; Kissmer et al., 2018). However, it also brings increased noise, distractions and privacy concerns (James et al., 2021; Kim et al., 2016). Some researchers suggest it may distance co-worker relationships (Taskin et al., 2019), while the loss of daily workspace ownership can create practical and social tensions (Hirst, 2011)
Time wastage	More time is required to locate team members, find a desk to work at upon arrival and set up and pack up the workstation (Kim et al., 2016). In the worst case, workers may encounter a long period of displacement (unable to find a desk) before they can be settled and start their work (Hugh Fawcett, 2009)
Health and well-being	While hot-desking helps reduce employees' sedentary behavior (Masoudinejad and Veitch, 2023), it results in ergonomic discomfort (Kim et al., 2016) arising from the use of standardized furniture and a heavy reliance on portable laptops. Also, although hot-desking can reduce loneliness through increased interaction, it undermines employee well-being by decreasing job satisfaction (Chmiel, 2025) and causing emotional exhaustion with increased exposure to unwanted environmental stimuli (Danielsson and Theorell, 2024)