In 2015, Professor Nick Nunnington was commissioned by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Middle East Council for Offices (MECO) to conduct a groundbreaking workplace productivity study in the Middle East. Based on Haynes' 2008 productivity survey, it was the first of its kind in the region, capturing the unique influence of climate, a multinational workforce, and local cultural norms on office productivity.
With 551 valid responses, the report became a reference point for space planning, design, and fit-out decisions for years. It showed both consistencies with global findings and notable differences unique to the MENA context.
A decade later, the workplace has been reshaped by the pandemic, hybrid working, and new expectations for flexibility. The original 2015 study is still cited, but the rapid changes of the past ten years demand a new benchmark for understanding productivity and workplace alignment in the Middle East.
Platinum sponsor: Haworth. Golden sponsor: Savills.