Effect of physical environment, at work spaces, on worker morale and productivity

By

[Name of Instructor]

ABSTRACT

The dissertation will explore the effects of physical environment, at work spaces, on worker morale and productivity. With the help of prior researches, many organisations are working towards developing and creating modern workspace designs for improving the productivity of their employees. Many researchers and theorists have established a strong relationship between the physical environment of the workspace, efficient management process and the productivity and performance of employees. However, in reality many organisations still do not consider the importance of physical environment and believe in keeping their costs low when designing workspaces. Therefore, there is a dire need to understand the relationship between workspace design and improved productivity and performance of workers. In order to explore this relationship further, there is also a strong need to define the concept of productivity and office design. The research comprises of a qualitative research approach, in which, the secondary research is conducted by reviewing literature from academic literature resources, as well as, gathering information from surveys and case studies conducted on the relationship between work environment and employee productivity and morale. The research concludes that the enhancement in design and layout of workspace allows for more improved communication between employees resulting in increased productivity and greater morale of employees. Moreover, employee participation in designing their own workspaces has also been observed in some organisations, which helps in increasing satisfaction levels of employees.

CONTENTS

ABSTRACTII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1Background of the Study1

1.2Purpose of the Study2

1.3Significance of the Study2

1.4Aims and Objectives3

1.5Research Questions3

1.6Organisation of the Study3

1.7Ethical Concern4

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW5

2.1Overview of Prior Research5

2.2Workspace and Productivity6

2.3Environment Psychology of Workspace7

2.4Effects of Ambient Environment8

2.5Impact of Work Environment on Employee Morale and Productivity9

2.51Lighting9

2.52Noise11

2.53Air Quality11

2.54Colour13

2.55Workspace Furniture14

2.56Office Equipment15

2.6Impact of Workspace Design on Worker Morale16

2.7Interior Design and Construction Affect on Work Performance17

2.8The Case of GENSLER20

CHAPTER 03: FUTURE WORKSPACES22

3.1Future Workplaces23

CHAPTER 04: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS25

4.1Research Question 125

4.2Research Question 227

4.3Research Question 329

CHAPTER 05: CONCLUSION32

END NOTES35

APPENDIX 140

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

It is widely assumed that people behave the way they like to behave, but in reality the physical environment plays a significant role on the behaviour of people. Moreover, the topic of relationship of physical environment and the behaviour of human being has long been of interest, and it is also accepted that manipulation of physical environment can help in achieving the desired behavioural and physical results. Yet, many researchers, who are trying to relieve work-based stress, appear not to incorporate the influence of the environment in their research, focusing on psychosocial influences. However, contemporary literature reveals a focus upon certain psychosocial influences that negatively impacts upon the productivity and efficiency of workers. However, some studies of stress at work spaces have also included the effect of physical environment on workers' efficiency. ,, The authors and theorists have studied the influence of physical environment on the work performance of employees in these studies. Hence, there is also strong evidence that physical environment of work spaces has a positive effect on the job performance of workers. Therefore, this paper ...