A preliminary study of cognitive failures in open plan offices

Abstract

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -The purpose of this paper is to describe the application of a new method using instruments with increased ability to objectively assess and quantify the performance impacts on office workers in built environment settings. Design/methodology/approach -A Distractibility Index (DI) was calculated for sample employees, who then used a computer-based instrument in two settings to evaluate cognitive impairment Findings -There was measured cognitive impairment in higher distracting work environments. There is potential to use DI to predict performance detriments and aid better workplace design/management. Research limitations/implications -The study employed only a small sample size. The level of noise and other distractions in the settings studied need to be measured objectively. There is a need to differentiate between various sources of distraction in terms of their impact on cognitive impairment. Practical implications -The findings of this paper can help to improve workplace performance, with less reliance on physical design solutions. Originality/value -Workplace performance evaluations typically use subjective measures and self-assessments. Modern work is increasingly cognitive, and hence new computer-based and more objective tools are required. The tool used in this research has been highly validated in other applications.

Measurements of workplace productivity in the office context

“…Statistically significant differences in the strength of all types of factors were noted between groups occupying individual, shared and open-plan offices in a recent study by Haynes et al (2017). While limited to a single region, this echoes findings from the broader literature, particularly those relating distraction (negative) and collaboration (positive) to the open-plan office layout (Haynes and Price, 2004; Haynes, 2007; Purdey and Liefer, 2012). While Haynes et al (2017) describe the unilateral impacts of the workplace layout across both open-plan and enclosed office environments, they note that it is the availability and the control over a variety of physical layouts and social interaction points which has the greatest impact on perceived workability.…”

“…Market demands are discussed by Haynes (2007a) and can directly impact effectiveness, efficiency, outputs and performance owing to the external requirements imposed for the completion of specific tasks. Similarly, interruptions can affect an individual’s time on task, measured through billable hours and task completion (Wiik, 2011); these are discussed in detail in the context of open-plan office studies such as that by Purdey and Liefer (2012).…”

“…In many cases, the confusion arises around items that are task- or activity-related. For example, Nieuwenhuis et al (2014) and Purdey and Liefer (2012) identify concentration in their research – a factor that correlates with the distractibility KPI. In many cases, the easiest method of discerning the two is to treat independent variables as factors and dependent outcomes are KPIs.…”

Healthy workplaces: what we know and what else we need to know

“…Bakker (2014) states that the reverse relationship is also true: being productive and attaining one's personal or organisational objectives contributes to satisfaction and well-being. Purdey and Leifer (2012) investigated different types of open plan offices measuring cognitive failures among staff in a local government authority by the use of a computerbased instrument. The open plan offices were different regarding layout, workstations and density and classified as either low or high distraction workspaces.…”

Defining and measuring the productive office

“…However, the rush to work in open plan came with hidden costswhat we refer to today as productivity costs. Brunia et al (2016) observed that the debate about the pros and cons of open offices is still going on, citing Purdey and Leifer (2012) and Kim and De Dear (2013) as recent examples. According to Chadburn et al 2017, while some research suggests a strong positive link between design and productivity (Gensler, 2005;Myerson et al, 2010;Sullivan et al, 2013), other work is less conclusive (Greene and Myerson, 2011;Thompson and Kay, 2008).…”