A flexible working environment is the primary factor expected to significantly impact office space demand in the short to medium term, according to a poll carried out by global occupiers association Corenet.

A flexible working environment is the primary factor expected to significantly impact office space demand in the short to medium term, according to a poll carried out by global occupiers association Corenet.

The preliminary results reveal that more than 76% of those surveyed regard a flexible working environment as the key factor affecting the supply-demand dynamics in the office sector. Other significant factors identified included technological innovations (60.53%) and the recovery of the global economy (55.26%).

Only around 15% of those surveyed thought that sustainability and improvements to energy efficiency were expected to be significant factors impacting office space demand in future.

The results of the survey - which gauges the views of corporate real estate managers on economic development in Europe - were released on the eve of the annual Corenet Global EMEA Summit which is due to be held on 15-17 September in Berlin.

Around 500 senior corporate real estate professionals from Europe, Middle East, Africa and other global regions are expected to attend the event.

Attendance figures are expected to equal the record-breaking performance of last year’s event in Amsterdam, which saw the largest delegate attendance yet for a Corenet Global Summit held in Continental Europe. The 2014 summit this year takes the theme 'Changing the Conversation from Cost to Value'.

The survey also found that political stability, macroeconomic performance of the country and the availability of skilled labour were among the most important factors corporate real estate managers consider during the site selection process. More than 60% said that geopolitical unrest affects corporate decision making.

Corenet Global is the world’s leading association for corporate real estate (CRE) and workplace professionals, service providers and economic developers. Over 8,000 members, who include 70% of the Fortune 100 and nearly half of the Forbes Global 2000, meet locally, globally and virtually to develop networks, share knowledge, learn and thrive professionally.

In the EMEA region, Corenet Global has active regional chapters including Benelux, Central Europe, the United Kingdom and the Middle East, plus a France Networking Group, and a Southern Europe Networking Group incorporating Italy, Spain and Portugal.