Enhancing Work Engagement in Diverse Employees via Autonomy: Acknowledging Introversion and Extroversion Workspace Preferences

Abstract

This chapter discusses how employee productivity may be enhanced by understanding the difference in fit between introverts and extroverts and their work environment. Research shows that neglecting to consider varied personality types of employees when designing characteristics of the physical workplace may hinder employee performance given that introverts and extroverts thrive in different work environments. Drawing upon the self-determination theory, the chapter makes a case on how allowing employees the autonomy to choose their work environment (work from home or work from office) will enhance their performance by empowering them in their preferred work setting. Finally, this chapter discusses strategies that may help accommodate how introverts’ and extroverts’ interface with the physical characteristics of their workplace, followed by a discussion on companies that are in the process of shifting to a hybrid work setting in acknowledgement of increased productivity because of work from home practices during the pandemic.

Citation

Nag, D. (2021), "Enhancing Work Engagement in Diverse Employees via Autonomy: Acknowledging Introversion and Extroversion Workspace Preferences", Kumar, P., Agrawal, A. and Budhwar, P. (Ed.) Work from Home: Multi-level Perspectives on the New Normal, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 131-146. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-661-220210008