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21 – 30 of over 28000Theo van der Voordt and Per Anker Jensen
This paper aims to explore the added value of healthy workplaces for employees and organizations, in particular regarding employee satisfaction, labour productivity and facility…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the added value of healthy workplaces for employees and organizations, in particular regarding employee satisfaction, labour productivity and facility cost.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on a narrative review of journal papers and other sources covering the fields of building research, corporate real estate management, facilities management, environmental psychology and ergonomics.
Findings
The review supports the assumption of positive impacts of appropriate building characteristics on health, satisfaction and productivity. Correlations between these impacts are still underexposed. Data on cost and economic benefits of healthy workplace characteristics is limited, and mainly regard reduced sickness absence. The discussed papers indicate that investing in healthy work environments is cost-effective.
Originality/value
The findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationships between physical characteristics of the environment and health, satisfaction, productivity and costs. These insights can be used to assess work environments on these topics, and to identify appropriate interventions in value-adding management of buildings and facilities.
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Andrew Morgan and Sarah Anthony
The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of research to identify the key issues affecting organisations implementing and managing workplace change projects.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of research to identify the key issues affecting organisations implementing and managing workplace change projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of literature relating to the constituents of a high‐performance workplace, the impact of workplace change and how workplace performance may be measured, sets the foundation for structured interviews with real estate and facilities executives. Interviews sought to obtain up‐to‐date insights from 17 UK‐based occupiers, drawn from corporate, public and professional services enterprises, which have recently managed accommodation change projects.
Findings
The paper identified how occupiers take a variety of ad hoc approaches to delivering workplace change and capturing the benefits through performance measurement. The evidence suggests that occupiers rely on their own experiences in evaluating their progress towards high‐workplace performance and are not constrained by any lack of evidence of a direct link between workplace and individual productivity.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is limited in scope by nature of organisations participating in the research, is concentrated on the corporate sector and focuses on headquarters buildings.
Originality/value
The paper provides CRE managers with useful guidance on the wider implications of implementing relocation and workplace change projects and consolidates learning from a range of existing academic and industry research papers on measuring productivity impacts of workplace change.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the embedded smart sensors (ESS) technologies and users' performance in the workplace. An attempt will be made to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the embedded smart sensors (ESS) technologies and users' performance in the workplace. An attempt will be made to assess the impact of incorporating ESS on user performance in the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
A multi‐pronged approach was adopted in compiling relevant factual and perceptual information about users responses in the workplace. Both questionnaires and structured interviews with users and facilities managers (FMs) in a selected study sample are adopted to identify issues of concern and assess the level of users comfort in the workplace.
Findings
The incorporation of ESS will have wide‐ranging implications to office productivity which is partially dependent on the utility of the space and qualities of internal environment within which business operates.
Originality/value
The use of ESS is significant in optimizing the operational efficiency of the workplace and its responsiveness of meeting varying users needs. This will be beneficial to varying property stakeholders including owners, clients, occupiers and FMs.
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Doxa Papakonstantinou and Constantinos Tomos
Migraine consists of a chronic neurological disorder with episodic attacks. Migraine prevails in people of their most productive working age, followed by difficulties at work and…
Abstract
Purpose
Migraine consists of a chronic neurological disorder with episodic attacks. Migraine prevails in people of their most productive working age, followed by difficulties at work and social functions. This scoping review aims to analyze the economic burden on a workplace due to chronic migraine compared to episodic migraine by focusing on the indirect costs of absenteeism and presenteeism and addressing the research gaps in this field.
Design/methodology/approach
According to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, a comprehensive electronic literature search was carried out from 2010 to 2020 using the Google Scholar and Medline/PubMed databases.
Findings
The findings confirm that chronic and episodic migraine harm the workplace's productivity, escalating with the frequency of migraine attacks. Differences occur between presenteeism and absenteeism rates among chronic and episodic migraine, and higher presenteeism than absenteeism rates.
Originality/value
This review sheds new light on the indirect burden of migraine. It shows the gaps in the explored research area and the need for more targeted and extended research that could provide a deeper understanding of the workplace's hidden costs of migraine. The issues discussed are important as they can raise awareness of the interested parties, policymakers, employers and vocational rehabilitation specialists on the work disability associated with migraine.
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John Whiteoak, Daniel Abell and Karen Becker
This paper aims to examine the critical question of how to increase productivity without also increasing the burnout risk. A systems thinking framework was applied to explore…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the critical question of how to increase productivity without also increasing the burnout risk. A systems thinking framework was applied to explore individual perceptions of team dynamics and how they relate to morale, work–life balance (WLB) and hours worked.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an online survey, data from 1,222 Australian workers were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression and principal components analysis (PCA).
Findings
Self-reported productivity was found to be predicted by engagement whereas burnout and morale had minimal impact. Burnout risk was not related to hours worked but was reduced when WLB, quality work and trust is higher. Co-worker effort impacted morale and a factor labelled as team “sense of accomplishment” (SoA) was identified.
Research limitations/implications
The results of this research have limited generalisability to wider populations due to sampling methods, being conducted in the Australian context and respondents coming from a diverse range of occupations. The sample being skewed towards younger age groups and the acknowledged use of single-item measures may also restrict drawing broader conclusions from the results.
Originality/value
A socio-technical systems thinking model to diagnose the link between workplace burnout and productivity is applied. The approach involved understanding the importance of trust and how the connection between people and systems can influence morale.
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M.P.E. Elbertse and L.P.A. Steenbekkers
This study aims to explore the effect of different volumes of indoor greenery on perceived stress, stress, perceived productivity, productivity and perceived workplace…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the effect of different volumes of indoor greenery on perceived stress, stress, perceived productivity, productivity and perceived workplace satisfaction to support employees’ well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
In a cross-over experimental design, a homogeneous group of students was randomised in different orders where each participant experienced the same three conditions. Different volumes of indoor greenery were added to the experiment room (0%, 0.5% and 8%). With a Fitbit, sudoku and a questionnaire, the five variables were measured.
Findings
Findings show that perceived stress and heart rate (physical stress) are lower in the 8% condition. Productivity scores did not improve significantly, however perceived productivity did in the 8% condition. Positive trends could be seen for the variables in the 0.5% condition. Furthermore, 2/3 of the participants preferred the 8% condition, whereas the other 1/3 preferred the 0.5% condition. Overall, 1/3 of the participants mentioned that their optimal volume of greenery would be more than 0.5% but less than 8%. This research shows that the implementation of 8% indoor greenery contributes to a happier and more relaxing office place where employees get the feeling of being less stressed and more productive.
Research limitations/implications
This research found that the largest volume of plants used (8%) has the most positive effect on the variables studied in this research. This study shows that participants’ heart rate, and therefore physical stress, became lower in the 8% condition. In this 8% condition, participants experienced less stress and perceived themselves to be more productive. Besides, 2/3 of the participants preferred being in the 8% condition, suggesting that after adding this volume of indoor greenery employees will be more satisfied with their workplace.
Practical implications
Where previous research discovered that indoor greenery has a positive effect on variables like (perceived) stress, (perceived) productivity and perceived workplace satisfaction, this research also provides support for the effect of different volumes of indoor greenery. Results obtained by the spatial coverage ratio approach can be easily applied to future research and practice.
Social implications
Indoor greenery can contribute to making the office a happier and more relaxing place where employees get the feeling of being less stressed and more productive which in the long term might contribute to the overall well-being of employees.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study focusing on the effect of different volumes of indoor greenery on these five variables.
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The aim of this paper is to evaluate approaches to office productivity improvements.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to evaluate approaches to office productivity improvements.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents two contrasting approaches to office productivity improvements. The review aims to establish that cost is not the only consideration when considering office productivity. The human dimension is included in the debate along with creating a business case and the occupier perspective. Past and current thinking are explored.
Findings
The review of the literature reveals that relatively small increases in employee productivity can greatly outweigh significant reductions in real estate costs. This “leveraging” approach highlights the need for greater emphasis on the occupier perspective if significant office productivity improvements are to be made.
Originality/value
Whilst it is appropriate to ensure that real estate costs are monitored and controlled, this should not be undertaken if it restricts employees' ability to perform their job as productively as possible.
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Zosia Brown, Raymond J. Cole, John Robinson and Hadi Dowlatabadi
This paper aims to explore the relationship between green building design and workplace design practice, and to examine the role of organizational culture in shaping design and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the relationship between green building design and workplace design practice, and to examine the role of organizational culture in shaping design and operation decisions with consequence for user experience.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review and introduction of key concepts establish the foundation for the research and provide a context for interpreting results. Empirical findings are presented from a pre‐ and post‐occupancy evaluation of a company's move to a new headquarters building designed both to shift organizational culture and to meet environmental objectives.
Findings
The paper demonstrates that, while there are potentially significant gains to be made from integrating green building with workplace design strategies from the outset, there are many other factors beyond the quality of the space, which may play a role in shaping user experience. Links are drawn between improved occupant comfort, health and productivity in the new headquarters building, and organizational culture and contextual factors accompanying the move. The findings raise a number of important questions and considerations for organizational and workplace research, and post‐occupancy evaluation of buildings.
Research limitations/implications
The research and findings focus on the experience and context of one company's move to a new headquarters building and cannot be extrapolated. Given the mainstreaming and merging of green building design with workplace design practice, more research and studies are needed to advance this important line of inquiry.
Originality/value
The paper brings together the two agendas of workplace design and green building design, which have until very recently progressed along separate paths.
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Philip C. Wright, Mike Berrell and Marianne Gloet
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of the Chinese cultural architecture on motivating workplace behaviour for enhanced productivity in Chinese workplaces.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of the Chinese cultural architecture on motivating workplace behaviour for enhanced productivity in Chinese workplaces.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper describes the Chinese cultural architecture and presents a cursory review of the substantive literature in this field. Based on this review, a conceptual framework for managing within Chinese organizations is presented, based on the first‐hand experience in the field as well as anecdotal evidence provided by practitioners in international management.
Findings
In the light of research, which suggests that the realities about motivation in the context of Chinese workplaces are more complicated than originally thought, this paper moves away from viewing Chinese workplace behaviour from a purely systems‐based perspective. Although ideas about collectivism and individualism certainly explain important aspects of workplace behaviour, an orientation to practicality and the emotive side of life in Chinese workplaces also affects behaviour in quite subtle ways.
Research limitations/implications
While the development of a conceptual framework for practicing managers provides a guide to managing in China, work that is more empirical is necessary to test the resilience of the framework.
Practical implications
The paper offers practical steps to improve the performance and productivity of both managers and employees in Chinese organizations.
Originality/value
The framework presented utilizes the conventional collectivism/individualism dichotomy with notions of practicality and emotion in Chinese workplaces. This is one potential step forward to the development of a more motivating management style in China.
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The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact office layout has on office occupiers' productivity.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact office layout has on office occupiers' productivity.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper evaluates the literature that claims to make a linkage between the office layout and the effect on office occupiers' productivity. Two main themes are developed. First, the literature that links office layout to work patterns is evaluated, and second, the open‐plan office vs cellular office debate is developed.
Findings
The review of the literature reveals that the connection between the three major components of office layout, office occupiers' work patterns and productivity is not clearly established.
Originality/value
The paper establishes that there is a requirement to link together office layout to the work patterns of office occupiers. It is only when the connection is made between the office layout and the office occupiers' work patterns that productivity gains can be achieved. To support the different work patterns undertaken, the facilities manager can create office environments that consist of a balance between private space and communal shared space. The amount of balance will be very much dependent on the mix of the work patterns in the office.
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