Alignment theory

Abstract

Alignment between the organisation and its real estate and workplace is a long-standing issue in corporate real estate and workplace management. Alignment theory as used in our field originates in strategic management, especially in the design, positioning and learning schools and these theories have specific origins and strengths. In general, workplace alignment research makes use of and is based on grounded theory, design research as well as empirical research. When studying alignment, corporate real estate (CRE) management’s literature has two main types approaches to alignment: (1) creating a model for an alignment process, and (2) single CRE factors such as workplace. The first type focuses on balancing all different elements in the alignment process, amongst which is workplace, while the latter category focuses on aligning aspects specifically important for a workplace.