Peer Review for Research Paper

Potential Effect of Art on Reynolds Financial Advisors

Business Community

Madelyn B. Lee

Pennsylvania State University

September 2019

EFFECT OF ART ON BUSINESS COMMUNITY – LEE 2

Abstract

A business office might not be the first place someone expects to see art, rather they may be seen

as uptight or as a clean slate; however, the purpose of this paper is to study just how art can

potentially effect not only the employees of a business office, more specifically Reynolds

Financial Advisors in DuBois, Pennsylvania, but the clients that pass through as well.

Possible Effects of Donated Art on Business Office Community

Reynolds Financial Advisors, a business based on helping others with financial strategies,

help clients from all walks of life, genders, ages, races, etc. For the community of Reynolds

Financial Advisors, art, such as beautiful photography with a supporting slogan, a painting to

brighten up the walls, or even a crocheted art piece hanging, could leave a positive impact and

impression.

Research suggests that a business office might benefit from art with a positive slogan

because it could leave a client feeling more welcomed, hopeful, and safe doing business at such

an establishment, therefore benefitting both the business and the clients. As for developing better

communication, a painting or even a crocheted art piece hanging on the wall might give both the

clients and the employees something for them to enjoy while waiting for an appointment, give

them inspiration, take a stressful situation into a relaxing one, or, as mentioned, help build trust

and communication between all.

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Review

Research suggests that even before meeting with a business owner, clients look for

physical attributes of an office to reveal a business’s image and capability (Rapoport, 1982).

Building trust with clients and making them feel more comfortable is one of the most crucial

parts of running a business, which could be as simple as an art project consisting of a

photographed landscape combined with a capturing slogan. Along with this, Bitner (1992) states

that marketing objectives can be obtained through the physical space of an office or a building,

which, again, could pertaining more to the financial industry for Reynolds Financial Advisors, be

a portrait of the charging bull and a slogan to display the highest model of the financial world.

Additionally, sensemaking is a psychological mechanism one uses to develop an opinion

of a business based only on its environment and how it operates (Huang, Y., & Wilkinson, I. F.,

2013). Along with this, art evokes various emotions in many ways and can even leave a lasting

impact on one’s life (Pelowski, M. & et al., 2016). For example, an abstract piece of art in the

waiting area may influence a client to pursue a creative process in their own life. This research

only emphasizes more so how important the physical space of a business is and presents that art

could leave clients feeling more welcome, trusting of the business, and excited to create art in

their own life.

Furthermore, Peck, E. (2009) states that art helps boost motivation and focus in a

workplace and improves client relations and trust along with Kirk, V. (2019) who states that after

performing a study, art was found to increase a boost in creativity and discussion among

coworkers and clients. So, whether this be a painting or a series of photographs, communication

and effective working conditions can be implemented and improved through art. Along with

EFFECT OF ART ON BUSINESS COMMUNITY – LEE 4

building trust in clients, having cooperative employees with good communication makes a huge

difference between a successful business and a failing business.

Conclusion

Based on the several studies shown, I think it is safe to say that art can positively

impact the community at Reynolds Financial Advisors. Not only do clients base first opinions off

the physical space of an office, but they also begin building trust by what hits they eye before

even meeting with a professional. Art also improves relations within the office personnel itself

with a boost of creativity and discussion/communication. Although research does not point

directly to a distinct piece of artwork that would leave the largest impact, it states that most any

type of art will leave this positive impact.

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References

Bitner, M. J. (1992). Servicescapes: The impact of physical surroundings on customers and

employees. Journal of Marketing, 56(2), 57. Retrieved from

http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-

com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/docview/227823024?accountid=13158

Huang, Y., & Wilkinson, I. F. (2013). The dynamics and evolution of trust in business

relationships. Industrial Marketing Management, 42(3), 455-465.

doi:10.1016/j.indmarman.2013.02.016

Kirk, V. (2019, August 1). 'A Market for Change': Art and the Workplace. Retrieved from

https://research.utdallas.edu/blog/a-market-for-change-art-and-the-workplace

Peck, E. (2009, April 22). The Role of Arts in Business (from Arts Watch). Retrieved

from https://blog.americansforthearts.org/2019/05/15/the-role-of-arts-in-business-from-

arts-watch

Pelowski, M., Markey, P. S., Lauring, J. O., & Leder, H. (2016). Visualizing the impact of art:

An update and comparison of current psychological models of art experience. Frontiers in

Human Neuroscience, 10, 160-160. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2016.00160

Rapoport, A. (1982). The meaning of the built environment: A nonverbal communication

approach. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.