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The results of a worldwide survey of office real estate by Colliers (on international property consultants) are revealed and discussed. Shows that Tokyo has the world′s most expensive office market while the least expensive office space is found in Wellington, New Zealand. London remains Europe′s costliest and Caen, in France, the least expensive. Good examples are shown by figures and diagrams in a complete survey.

Reports preliminary results of the 1991 ISR survey. The study covered: job security/job satisfaction; working conditions/benefits/pay; career advancement/performance appraisal/training and development; communication; working relationships/supervision/management; and operating efficiency/work organization. Draws general conclusions from the trends discussed.

Describes a number of innovative products exhibited at the annual Westweek Show at the Pacific Design Centre in Los Angeles. Gives details of an easily moved or reconfigured system for the suspended installation of storage units and work surfaces; several manufacturers′ offerings of height/tilt adjustable tables/work surfaces; and an overhead universal storage unit.

NEOCON 23, held in Chicago in June, appears to have featured very few exciting design offerings, the rest comprising mostly minor modifications and new combinations of exhibits previously shown.

Looks at the varying, modern uses of so‐called “Hot Desks” – workstations with multi‐use and multi‐user facilities. Discusses some case histories from around the world and shows that in modern‐day work areas this concept is already being put into varied, successful use.

Describes a selection of innovative products, exhibited at NEOCON 92 in Chicago. These include environmental control devices, office wireless communications, personal workplaces, adjustable‐height work‐surfaces, storage units and office furniture.

Investigates, following the NEOCON exhibition, “Virtual Reality” and its applications for facilities managers and users of office equipment. Discusses also “downsizing” by firms, which has led, in the USA, to a surplus of used office furniture. IBM in the UK has experimented with desk and chair sharing to avoid this kind of problem and IBM (USA) seems to be following this route now.

Reports findings of a study of 15 countries on: the global perspective; how office workers feel about their work; how office workers work; environmental, health and safety issues; employee health concerns; how the physical environment supports the office worker; and how the professional office environment community responds.

Examines the recent work of three authors, gives examples of projects in organizations and quotes facilities managers, all to show that office design improvements, made with the participation of employees, result in measurable increases in output, reduced costs and improved service quality. Notes how this phenomenon is compatible with and can form part of a total quality management system for service organizations.

Describes the results of a report by The International Facility Management Association and Gelb Consulting Group Inc. on outsourcing in the USA. Discusses the recent growth in outsourcing and details which areas are most likely to be contracted out to other firms. Examines the future for this and outlines several recommendations for those considering outsourcing.