How to measure impacts of work environment changes on knowledge work productivity – validation and improvement of the SmartWoW tool

Abstract

Purpose

Measuring productivity in changing environment is a challenging task for most of the organizations. However, it is very important for managers to measure how the changes in work environment impact on knowledge work productivity. SmartWoW is proving to be a useful tool for this type of productivity measurement, and organizations are using it to make changes in the work environment. As organizations become more interested in its uses, studies with more accurate results are needed. The purpose of this paper is to validate and improve the use of the SmartWoW tool.

Design/methodology/approach

The SmartWoW tool was used in nine organizations, which formulates the research data. Convergent validity, divergent validity and reliability are tested with SPSS and AMOS. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are applied.

Findings

The SmartWoW tool structure was found to be valid. It follows the structure described in previous literature, with slight changes in two dimensions. Four variables were added to increase tool consistency, and their wording was harmonized.

Practical implications

SmartWoW is useful for evaluating an organization’s current work environment and practices, as well as for measuring the effects of work environment changes. This study’s results also suggest SmartWoW would be useful for research by, for example, evaluating how dimensions affect each other.

Originality/value

This study provides a better understanding of the unique features and uses of SmartWoW. The findings not only validate through statistical analysis the tool’s structure but also improve it and offer a broader scope of its uses.

Citation

Palvalin, M. (2017), "How to measure impacts of work environment changes on knowledge work productivity – validation and improvement of the SmartWoW tool", Measuring Business Excellence, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp. 175-190. https://doi.org/10.1108/MBE-05-2016-0025