The benefits of art
Whether we are looking at the enormous industry built around interior design or start-ups helping companies create a hospitable environment for clients and employees alike, the aesthetic context matters. The importance of physical environments, particularly in service-bound industries, is amply documented by research (Bitner, 1992; Harris & Ezeh, 2008; Rosenbaum & Massiah, 2011; Suh, Moon, Han, & Ham, 2014; Wakefield & Blodgett, 1996; Zemke & Pullman, 2008). Interestingly, all of the aforementioned articles point to the strong effect that the environment (often referred to as ‘servicescapes’) has on customers’ and employees’ emotional as well as cognitive responses.