Ethan Bernstein, associate professor in the organizational behavior unit at the Harvard Business School, talks to us about how he and his peers are assessing the open office phenomenon.

Through his research, Bernstein addresses a number of myths around employee interactions and architectural space, including the limits of self-management and organizational adaptability and the pros and cons of collaborative digital tools and privacy. Referencing the dream of an open, egalitarian workspace going back to the 1940s, he discusses the elements involved in establishing a true rhythm of collaboration and predicts three key themes for the future.