Metaphor and Symbolic Meaning in Organizational Space

The purpose of this study was to investigate the meaning of the physical work environment for women within an Arab Gulf context, specifically in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), United Arab Emirates (UAE). A qualitative ethnographic approach was employed involving a sample of fourteen female participants working in two organizations: a university (n = 4) and a hotel chain (n = 10). Data were collected through recorded structured interviews, nonparticipant observations, photographs, and sketches. The data were analyzed using content analysis supported by NVivo software. Findings from this study identified a metaphor of “Workspace as Home” for the symbolic meaning women had attributed to five workplace phenomena: (1) Introduction of Personal Artifacts, (2) Extent of Privacy, (3) Depth of Lighting, (4) Level of Noise, (5) Condition of Fixtures and Furnishings. This research contributes to architectural praxis by informing the redesign of workspaces based on the symbolic meanings attributed to them by working women.