31 research outputs found
Evaluation of the Workplace Environment in the UK, and the Impact on Users’ Levels of Stimulation
The purpose of this study is to evaluate a number of recently completed workplaces in the UK. The first aim is to assess the impact of various aspects of the workplace environment on users’ levels of stimulation. The body of previous research undertaken into the workplace environment, identified the aspects to be investigated. Samples of employees from the sixteen businesses were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the workplaces. The results were entered into a regression analysis, and the most significant predictors of perceived stimulation identified. The data also revealed a dramatic reduction in staff arousal levels from mornings to afternoons. Thus, there is a second aim to determine whether changes to significant aspects of the workplace environment during the day can counteract the reduction in users’ stimulation. Two further workplaces were studied to enable changes to be made over a 12-week period. A sample of employees completed questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews revealed the reasons behind the results. It was found that provision of artwork, personal control of temperature and ventilation and regular breaks were the most significant contributions to increasing stimulation after lunch; while user choice of layout, and design and décor of workspaces and break areas, were the most significant aspects at design stage
Workplace productivity and office type: an evaluation of office occupier differences based on age and gender
Purpose
Open plan office environments are considered to offer workplace productivity benefits because of the opportunities that they create for interaction and knowledge exchange, but more recent research has highlighted noise, distraction and loss of privacy as significant productivity penalties with this office layout. This study aims to investigate if the purported productivity benefits of open plan outweigh the potential productivity penalties.
Design/methodology/approach
Previous research suggests that office environments are experienced differently according to the gender and age of the occupier across both open-plan and enclosed configurations. Empirical research undertaken with office occupiers in the Middle East (N=220) led to evaluations to establish the impact different offices had on perceived productivity. Factor analysis was used to establish five underlying components of office productivity. The five factors are subsequently used as the basis for comparison between office occupiers based on age, gender and office type.
Findings
This research shows that benefits and penalties to workplace productivity are experienced equally across open-plan and enclosed office environments. The greatest impact on perceived workplace productivity however was availability of a variety of physical layouts, control over interaction and the 'downtime' offered by social interaction points. Male occupiers and those from younger generations were also found to consider the office environment to have more of a negative impact on their perceived workplace productivity compared to female and older occupiers.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper is that it develops the concept of profiling office occupiers with the aim of better matching office provision. This paper aims to establish different occupier profiles based on age, gender and office type. Data analysis techniques such as factor analysis and t-test analysis identify the need for different spaces so that occupiers can choose the most appropriate space to best undertake a particular work task. In addition, it emphasises the value that occupiers place on ‘downtime’ leading to the need for appropriate social space
Thermal comfort A comparison of observed occupant requirements with those predicted and specified in standards
SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN019295 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo
Improving space in homes
SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:2277.485(BRE-IP--9/92) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo
hermal comfort Past, present and future
Proceedings of a conference held Garston (Great Britain), 9-10 Jun 1993Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:GPC/05447 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo
Recommended from our members
An assessment of the impact of ventilation advice in UK homes: interim report for the Department of Health
Energy advice to tenants - does it work? New Earswick Energy Advice Demonstration Project
SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:98/15720 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo