Editorial: Real estate investment and corporate decisions

The real estate market is constantly evolving, influenced by a variety of factors, both global and local. Recent events such as an increase in inflation and global unrest have had significant impacts on the real estate market, affecting everything from residential access to changes in office usage and investment strategies. To better understand these shocks and identify new patterns of behavior, it is essential to analyze historical data and conduct innovative research.

In Volume 16(1), a collection of papers shed light on some of the most pressing issues facing the real estate market today. For example, Rubinacci, Marzano and Piselli present a historical perspective on price cycles and residential transactions in Italy. Their analysis highlights the importance of credit cycles in shaping the market and demonstrates how this phenomenon is consistent across different countries.

Other papers in this volume explore various aspects of real estate investment decision-making. Autio, Pulkka and Junnila examine how corporate investment strategies are changing in response to market competition, while Fadeyi, McGreal, McCord and Berry investigate the impact of long-term perspectives on investment decisions in the London office market.

Another critical change in the real estate market is the concept of the workplace. Tsolacos, Lee and Tse explore the rise of co-working and how this new form of office space usage is affecting decision-making. With tenants placing more value on flexibility and well-being, companies are evaluating offices not just on their physical characteristics and location but also on their ability to provide services.

Two papers in this volume examine the role of real estate brokers in the market. Wiejak-Roy analyzes how vendor due diligence affects values and real estate transactions, while Ahlenius and Kågström investigate the role of rewards in job satisfaction among Swedish brokers.

Finally, Maier and Reyman analyze the institutional factors affecting real estate development in Silesian Metropolitan Areas, while Oladiran, Sunmoni, Ajayi, Abbas and Guo explore the attributes of university students' accommodation in online searches.

Through these studies, it becomes clear that real estate is intimately connected to many other aspects of politics and the economy. As such, it is essential to stay informed and conduct innovative research to better understand the market's complexities and plan for the future.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue.