A research project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of MA by coursework and research report in the field of Organisational Psychology in the Faculty of Humanities, University of Witwatersrand,Johannesburg 2018 / With the change in nature of work, the spaces in which work is done has also changed, prompting research into the effects of the work environment on employees. The purpose of this study is to investigate how different types of workplace office spaces will have different impacts on aspects of wellbeing in employees. The facets explored are how employees perceive their satisfaction of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) attributes, how they perceive their performance and health within these IEQ conditions, how they perceive their current workspace affecting their physical and psychological discomfort, and how they perceived their own psychological wellbeing. A quantitative survey was compiled from previous literature, appropriate to exploring these variables. The questionnaire was piloted at a company that owns, develops, and manages property before being conducted over a two-week period at a large health insurance company in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The final survey consisted of three subscales of the Green Building Survey (Hedge & Dorsey, 2012) measuring perceived satisfaction of indoor environmental quality and its impact on health and performance; the GABO questionnaire (Pierrette et al., 2015) assessed six aspects of perceived noise; the extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire assessed physical discomfort in nine body regions; perceived psychological comfort; and perceived psychological wellbeing using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Data were collected using an online survey platform. The final sample consisted of 1853 participants of different genders, races, ages, and organisational levels of a prominent South African organisation. The results of this study are beneficial to the field as literature pertaining to workspace layout is outdated and new research is needed as innovative trends in layout types are emerging. Most previous research on employee perceptions addresses productivity but not necessarily different aspects of perceived health, wellbeing, and comfort. It is expected that this study will contribute to finding clarity in a still-ambiguous field and will add to the present-day change in how and where work is done. / TL2019

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of the Master of Information Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.,2016. / Office setting is a widely acceptable means of providing an enabling environment that best facilitates employees’ performance and general productivity. This study sought to investigate the impact of office setting on employee performance using, eThekwini (KwaZulu-Natal) municipal offices and employees at the Durban City Hall, as a case study. The objectives of the study were to analyse the office design, finishes and furnishings of the head office building of eThekwini municipality and identify features in the design, finishes and furnishings in terms of their suitability and comfort of the employees; assess the impact of office settings on the performance of eThekwini municipality employees at the City Hall; and propose specific settings based interventions that would address employee health, comfort and wellbeing and thereby enhance optimum performance. The study was based on a sample of 65 City Hall staff randomly drawn from various departments and units, as well as 10 senior managers. Data for the study obtained mainly from the administration of questionnaires was analysed quantitatively using SPSS and Microsoft Excel and presented with the aid of frequency distributions, pie charts, tables, pictures and graphs. The research identified considerable office settings deficiencies which included uninspiring and old-fashioned office design and decor (largely cellular offices), use of dark wooden partitions resulting in poorly illuminated offices, and continued use of old furniture at the City Hall. The study also confirmed that the settings deficiencies had varying adverse effects on the performance of City Hall employees by between (20% - 80%). The study recommends the relocation of the City Hall head office to a new modern facility designed and furnished to suit the particular needs of the organisation. The development and operation of a real estate policy that leverages on the workplace environment to attract, retain and boost employee performance has also been recommended. / M

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Why are other industries successfully using coworking spaces while the advertising industry in South Africa does not, or only partially? Can coworking spaces specifically tailored for the advertising industry invigorate the industry or will client confidentiality be the death of coworking in this industry? The purpose of this research study was to determine the viability of coworking spaces in the advertising industry in South Africa, as well as the barriers to entry and the concerns that the typical advertising person would have related to coworking spaces. This research employed a qualitative approach by means of four structured open-ended face-to-face interviews to obtain primary data about coworking spaces in Cape Town. The participants were randomly selected from advertising staff who had left the corporate environment to work for themselves from a home office, some who were using shared office space or entrepreneurs availing themselves of the advertising space. The researcher asked respondents questions about their experiences and what would be important considerations for making use of a coworking space. The key findings were that there was a need for affordable office space. Financial considerations were one of the main reasons preventing start-up entrepreneurs or self-employed individuals from moving from their home office. The location of the coworking space was of the utmost importance, because individuals did not wish to be stuck in traffic and preferred to work close to their homes. Confidentiality was a major concern for all the respondents taking part in the survey. The principle of knowledge sharing in a coworking environment is valuable, but it could have limitations in the advertising industry since most of the work is deemed confidential. Moreover, the concept of coworking was still largely unknown and had to be explained during each interview. The way we work has changed, but not the working environment.

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo verificar a percepção dos funcionários sobre a influência do ambiente de trabalho na produtividade e qualidade do trabalho em um escritório do setor público. No atual contexto econômico, o investimento no ambiente de trabalho como ferramenta para otimização da performance organizacional não é mais um diferencial competitivo, mas uma necessidade. No entanto, mesmo com o desenvolvimento intenso de pesquisas no tema por parte do setor privado, o setor público ainda vive sob premissas que minimizam a importância das condições espaciais nos resultados da gestão, ocasionando poucos estudos. Frente a este cenário, a atual pesquisa se desenvolverá nesta lacuna. O método da pesquisa se classifica como uma abordagem qualitativa de natureza aplicada com fins descritivos. O procedimento técnico foi pautado no método de Avaliação Pós-Ocupação pelo uso de um checklist pré-estruturado, walkthrough exploratório, entrevistas com personagens-chave, e questionário com os usuários do ambiente para coleta de dados. Os dados foram analisados com a aplicação de estatística descritiva e análise de conteúdo. A análise dos dados permitiu concluir que os usuários do ambiente de trabalho do estudo de caso acreditam que o ambiente influencia positivamente na produtividade. Também foi possível levantar fatores de sucesso e falhas do ambiente de trabalho. Os principais fatores de sucesso foram fluxos, distâncias, estações de trabalho, espaços de convivência e iluminação. As principais falhas encontram-se na segurança contra incêndio, acessibilidade, falta de espaço e desorganização do layout e armazenamento, falta de padronização, privacidade, ruído, ventilação e controle ambiental. A pesquisa vê este diagnóstico como recomendação de um projeto de mudança das falhas, valorizando os fatores de sucesso, para a otimização do ambiente de trabalho do estudo de caso. Acredita-se ter aprofundado o conhecimento sobre o tema no setor público, buscando fomentar pesquisas futuras. / The present work aims to verify the perception of employees about the influence of work environment on productivity and quality of work in a public sector office. In the current economic context, investment in the work environment as a tool for optimizing organizational performance is no longer a competitive differential, but a necessity. However, even with the increasing development of private sector research in the theme, the public sector still lives under premises that minimize the importance of spatial conditions in the management results, leading to few studies. Against this background, the current research develops in this gap. The research method is classified as a qualitative approach of applied nature for descriptive purposes. The technical procedure was based on the Post-Occupancy Assessment method using a pre-structured checklist, exploratory walkthrough, interviews with key characters, and a questionnaire with the users of the environment for data collection. The data were analyzed with the application of descriptive statistics and content analysis. Data analysis allowed to conclude that users of the case study work environment believe that the environment positively influences productivity. It was also possible to raise success factors and failures of the work environment. The main success factors were flows, distances, workstations, social living spaces and illumination. The main flaws are in fire safety, accessibility, lack of space and disorganization of layout and storage, lack of standardization, privacy, noise, ventilation and environmental control. The research sees this diagnosis as a recommendation for a project of change of the failures, valuing the success factors, for the optimization of the working environment of the case study. It is believed to have deepened the knowledge about the subject in the public sector, seeking to foster future research.

The Corporate Real Estate Executive has many factors to consider when selecting and outfitting workspace for the company's employees, most of whom are knowledge workers. There are many factors to consider other than cost including the office space design, the LEED or other green building characteristics of the space,the business context in which the company operates, and how all these factors work together to impact productivity. A workplace and productivity assessment tool was completed for four different companies to assess eight different productivity elements and how they interact to impact productivity. Two companies occupied LEED certified facilities, one company occupied a green building, and the fourth company was in conventional office space.

No description available.

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo verificar a percepção dos funcionários sobre a influência do ambiente de trabalho na produtividade e qualidade do trabalho em um escritório do setor público. No atual contexto econômico, o investimento no ambiente de trabalho como ferramenta para otimização da performance organizacional não é mais um diferencial competitivo, mas uma necessidade. No entanto, mesmo com o desenvolvimento intenso de pesquisas no tema por parte do setor privado, o setor público ainda vive sob premissas que minimizam a importância das condições espaciais nos resultados da gestão, ocasionando poucos estudos. Frente a este cenário, a atual pesquisa se desenvolverá nesta lacuna. O método da pesquisa se classifica como uma abordagem qualitativa de natureza aplicada com fins descritivos. O procedimento técnico foi pautado no método de Avaliação Pós-Ocupação pelo uso de um checklist pré-estruturado, walkthrough exploratório, entrevistas com personagens-chave, e questionário com os usuários do ambiente para coleta de dados. Os dados foram analisados com a aplicação de estatística descritiva e análise de conteúdo. A análise dos dados permitiu concluir que os usuários do ambiente de trabalho do estudo de caso acreditam que o ambiente influencia positivamente na produtividade. Também foi possível levantar fatores de sucesso e falhas do ambiente de trabalho. Os principais fatores de sucesso foram fluxos, distâncias, estações de trabalho, espaços de convivência e iluminação. As principais falhas encontram-se na segurança contra incêndio, acessibilidade, falta de espaço e desorganização do layout e armazenamento, falta de padronização, privacidade, ruído, ventilação e controle ambiental. A pesquisa vê este diagnóstico como recomendação de um projeto de mudança das falhas, valorizando os fatores de sucesso, para a otimização do ambiente de trabalho do estudo de caso. Acredita-se ter aprofundado o conhecimento sobre o tema no setor público, buscando fomentar pesquisas futuras. / The present work aims to verify the perception of employees about the influence of work environment on productivity and quality of work in a public sector office. In the current economic context, investment in the work environment as a tool for optimizing organizational performance is no longer a competitive differential, but a necessity. However, even with the increasing development of private sector research in the theme, the public sector still lives under premises that minimize the importance of spatial conditions in the management results, leading to few studies. Against this background, the current research develops in this gap. The research method is classified as a qualitative approach of applied nature for descriptive purposes. The technical procedure was based on the Post-Occupancy Assessment method using a pre-structured checklist, exploratory walkthrough, interviews with key characters, and a questionnaire with the users of the environment for data collection. The data were analyzed with the application of descriptive statistics and content analysis. Data analysis allowed to conclude that users of the case study work environment believe that the environment positively influences productivity. It was also possible to raise success factors and failures of the work environment. The main success factors were flows, distances, workstations, social living spaces and illumination. The main flaws are in fire safety, accessibility, lack of space and disorganization of layout and storage, lack of standardization, privacy, noise, ventilation and environmental control. The research sees this diagnosis as a recommendation for a project of change of the failures, valuing the success factors, for the optimization of the working environment of the case study. It is believed to have deepened the knowledge about the subject in the public sector, seeking to foster future research.

The study examines architectural correlates of privacy in an aerospace industry. Conceptual/theoretical notions are tested, whose ultimate value is the further refinement of privacy regulation, conceptually and operationally. Complexities of privacy as a concept and its regulation are clarified through theory and systematic information generated through the Heuristic Elicitation Methodology(HEM). The study demonstrates the usefulness and adaptability of the HEM to environmental design research. The conceptual model of privacy regulation presented in the study guided the research and extends theoretical considerations regarding social, behavioral, and environmental mechanisms operating within the context of culture that are employed to regulate privacy in work environments. The model posits a comprehensive framework of privacy regulation and suggests a more detailed method for classifying regulatory characteristics. The HEM provides a fairly definitive interpretation (i.e., understanding) of physical elements devised or deployed by designers that users perceive as regulating privacy, and where privacy fits into the users' perception of what is important in their work environments. The information gathered is directly applicable to space planning standards and design practices at the aerospace industry, and pending further research, perhaps to a variety of other situations. The study also lays the foundation for future research on the cultural variability of privacy regulation. The knowledge gained could be used to increase an organization's effectiveness by providing a framework for developing and then communicating culturally-sensitive space planning standards and design practices. In a broader context, the study stresses the importance of encompassing human values and technology in environmental design research. / Ph. D.

Zugl.: Braunschweig, Hochsch. für Bildende Künste, Diss., 2005.

I Sverige har distansarbete blivit allt vanligare, vilket har resulterat i fler tomma ytor på kontor. Ekonomiska fluktuationer och pandemin har också visat att behovet och efterfrågan på kontorsutrymme kan variera betydligt, vilket skapar samhällsekonomiska problem genom vakanta kontorslokaler. Därför behövs det lösningar för att göra kontorslokaler mer attraktiva för användare. Genom att förstå hyresgästers preferenser kan fastighetsägare anpassa sina lokaler för att erhålla hyresgästernas lojalitet. Målet med undersökningen är att ta reda på deras förväntningar och preferenser när det gäller kontorslokaler i Sverige. De faktorer som primärt undersöks inkluderar läge/tillgänglighet, arbetsmiljö, kontorsutformning och externa faktorer som pandemin. Vårt arbete fokuserar på att sammanfatta hyresgästers preferenser för att bidra till utvecklingen av kontor och göra dem mer attraktiva i Sverige. Denna studie undersöker sex olika hyresgästers preferenser för kontorslokaler i Malmö, i kombination med tidigare forskning om ämnet. Vid val av metod för datainsamling har vi även fokuserat på semistrukturerade intervjuer. Resultaten visar att hyresgästerna generellt hade liknande preferenser, inklusive läge/tillgänglighet, arbetsmiljö och anpassning till hyresgästens verksamhet. En bra inomhusmiljö och funktionella kontor var också viktiga faktorer för de flesta. Innovation och flexibla utrymmen betraktades som optimala för dagens arbetsplatser, och en effektiv kontorsutformning bör möjliggöra flexibilitet samtidigt som den säkerställer koncentration och integritet för alla anställda. Dock kan preferenser påverkas av både interna och externa faktorer, inklusive en osäker ekonomisk situation och pandemins konsekvenser. / In Sweden, remote work has become increasingly common, leaving more empty spaces in offices. Economic fluctuations and the pandemic have also demonstrated that the need and demand for office space can vary significantly, causing socio-economic problems through vacant office spaces. Therefore, solutions are needed to make office spaces more attractive to users. By understanding tenants' preferences, property owners can adapt their premises to obtain tenants' loyalty. The aim of the survey is to find out their expectations and preferences regarding office spaces in Sweden. Factors primarily examined include location/accessibility, work environment, office layout, and external factors such as the pandemic. Our work focuses on summarizing tenants' preferences to contribute to the development of offices and make them more attractive in Sweden. This study examines six different tenants' preferences for office spaces in Malmö, in combination with previous research on the subject. In selecting the approach for data collection, we have also focused on semi-structured interviews. The results show that tenants generally had similar preferences, including location/accessibility, work environment, and adaptation to the tenant's business. A good indoor environment and functional offices were also important factors for most. Innovation and flexible spaces were considered optimal for today's workplaces, and an efficient office layout should enable flexibility while ensuring concentration and privacy for all employees. However, preferences can be influenced by both internal and external factors, including an uncertain economic situation and pandemic consequences.