Occupant productivity and office indoor environment quality : a review of the literature

The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature to draw an understanding of the relationship between indoor environmental quality and occupant productivity in an office environment. The study reviews over 300 papers from 67 journals, conference articles and books focusing on indoor environment, occupant comfort, productivity and green buildings. It limits its focus to the physical aspects of an office environment. The literature outlines eight Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) factors that influence occupant productivity in an office environment. It also discusses different physical parameters under each of the IEQ factors. It proposes a conceptual model of different factors affecting occupant productivity. The study also presents a review of the data collection methods utilised by the research studies that aim to investigate the relationship between IEQ and occupant productivity. The study presents a comprehensive discussion and analysis of different IEQ factors that affect occupant productivity. The paper provides a concise starting point for future researchers interested in the area of indoor environmental quality

OCCUPANT PRODUCTIVITY AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY LINKED TO GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

Occupant productivity is gaining momentum in the field of sustainable built environment. Humans spend most of their time indoors, and the majority of the world’s population lives in urban areas and work in an office environment. Different Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) factors affect productivity in an office environment. This paper investigates Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) rating system to identify criteria and submittals focusing different physical indoor environment quality factors that influence occupant productivity. It draws implicit links between the current state of sustainable research and indoor environment quality factors covered in the GSAS rating system. The study highlights that GSAS has focused one-third of its weightage to indoor environment quality factors. Most IEQ criteria like indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting and day lighting, Biophilia and views are well addressed in the GSAS. There is still room to focus on factors like office layout, look and feel, and location and amenities. This paper is a part of ongoing research endeavour to update GSAS to incorporate occupant productivity and well-being in rating system's focus to improve green buildings in the Middle East. The paper would help researchers and professionals who aim to understand the link between the GSAS rating system and indoor environment quality factors that affect productivity