Location Value

Understanding that location value is a critical factor to organizations with regards to people and technology is what this chapter strives to achieve. Location value can be synonymous with power. It can represent power of position, power to generate revenue, power to leverage resources, and power to serve as a catalyst for change. As with any source of power, it has the ability to provide an asset or to be a liability. The location value of people and technology in the workplace can serve as asset or liability depending upon placement. Maidique and Hayes (1984) also noted that “organizational agility seems to be associated with organizational flexibility–frequent realignments of people and responsibilities as the firm attempts to maintain its balance on shifting competitive sands” (p.21). Making the necessary realignments of people requires knowledge of their location value within the organization. This chapter addresses examples of technology location value, which includes capital expense, engineering expertise, and infrastructure changes against people location value, which includes cohesiveness in assigned environment, organizational culture, and career development. The author suggests that there seems to be reluctance on part of the organizations to fully commit the same resources for people location value as they do for technology location value.