What changed?

The Impacts and Benefits

Impacts for the Company 

From the organization’s perspective, the project has had transformative impacts, addressing key operational and cultural challenges while positioning ALBA Facilities Services as a progressive, innovative employer. The implementation of the 4-Day Workweek (4DW) improved employee engagement, recruitment and retention, and work-life balance, directly tackling longstanding issues with employee turnover and productivity. By introducing the SCRUM Framework, the organization enhanced communication, collaboration, and decision-making across teams, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Operational efficiency was significantly improved with the rollout of real-time Power BI dashboards, enabling data-driven decision-making and providing visibility into performance metrics. These tools empowered employees to prioritize tasks, identify bottlenecks, and take ownership of their roles, which contributed to a more agile and responsive workforce.

Culturally, the project encouraged trust and accountability, as employees were actively involved in shaping solutions and achieving organizational goals. ALBA is now better equipped to adapt to future challenges, having integrated innovative practices into its operations. The organization not only reaped measurable performance benefits but also strengthened its reputation as an employer of choice, capable of attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market. This project has set the foundation for sustained growth and innovation.

Impacts for the Academic Team

From the academic team’s perspective, the project provided an invaluable opportunity to bridge theory and practice while contributing to academic knowledge on innovative workplace practices. The collaboration with ALBA Facilities Services offered a real-world context to study the implementation of a 4-Day Workweek (4DW) and its impact on organizational culture, productivity, and innovation. This project yielded a wealth of data for academic research, including a draft case study paper, a research paper outline, and a video case study, all of which will support future publications and industry discussions.

The project also allowed for the practical application of theoretical frameworks, such as Organizational Support Theory and Entrepreneurial Mindset, offering insights into the mechanisms that drive employee engagement and innovation under a 4DW model. These findings contribute to advancing academic understanding of how workplace interventions influence behaviours and performance. Additionally, the collaborative nature of the project demonstrated the value of academic-industry partnerships, not only in achieving organizational change but also in generating practical insights for teaching and research. The academic team benefited from the rich interplay of data collection, analysis, and real-world application, reinforcing the importance of such collaborations in shaping contemporary management practices and contributing to the broader academic discourse.

Impacts for the Knowledge Transfer Associate 

The KTP Associate benefits from:

From my perspective as the KTP Associate, the project has been an immensely rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. It allowed me to apply my academic and industrial background to tackle complex organizational challenges, while also fostering significant professional growth. Leading the implementation of the 4-Day Workweek (4DW) required influencing senior leadership, managing cultural shifts, and driving the adoption of innovative practices, all of which honed my skills in change management and stakeholder engagement.

Developing and embedding tools such as the ALBA Scrum Framework and real-time Power BI dashboards demonstrated the practical impact of integrating academic theories into a real-world context. These initiatives not only addressed operational inefficiencies but also helped cultivate a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration within the organization. I gained invaluable experience in the process of co-creating these valuable solutions to long-standing challenges. 

This project has deepened my understanding of how innovative workplace practices can be implemented effectively, reinforcing the link between organizational support and employee performance. Overall, this experience has strengthened my belief in the transformative potential of initiatives like the 4DW and has highlighted the critical role of adaptability, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making in driving sustainable change.