The effects of the physical environment on job performance: towards a theoretical model of workspace stress

Abstract

Studies of stress in the work environment pay little attention to features of the physical environment in which work is performed. Yet evidence is accumulating that the physical environment of work affects both job performance and job satisfaction. Contemporary research on stress in the work environment typically focuses on psychosocial factors that affect job performance, strain and employee health, and does not address the growing body of work on the environmental psychology of workspace. This paper reviews theory and research bearing on stress in the workplace and explores how current theory might be applied to the relationship between worker behaviour and physical features of the work environment. The paper proposes a theoretical model of the worker–workspace relationship in which stress and comfort play a critical part, and suggests a methodological approach on which to base future empirical studies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Office Design and Dignity at Work in the Knowledge Economy

“…According to Vischer (2007), the biggest factor contributing to worker satisfaction and performance is the floor configuration and layout. In settings where employees are closer to each other, with few to no barriers among them as in the case of open-plan offices, opportunities for communication are higher and it is well-known that a good communication flow is the gatekeeper to cooperation, knowledge sharing and cohesion in groups (Chigot, 2003).…”

“…Under these circumstances the visual and acoustic privacy is hindered, which in turn may negatively affect one's emotions and behaviors toward others (e.g., leading people to be less tolerant, more keen on conflict) as well as performance. One of the primary complaints of workers in open-plan offices is indeed the discomfort caused by high levels of noise (Vischer, 2007). While other causes of employee dissatisfaction with open-plan offices include increased frequency of uncontrolled interactions, cognitive overload and stress leading to lower levels of concentration and motivation as well as lack of psychological privacy, noise is described as the factor employees would most like to control (Davis et al, 2011).…”

Individual Control over the Physical Work Environment to Affect Creativity

“…Previous studies from different perspectives have shown that the perceived quality of the physical work environment have influenced in employees' job perception, satisfaction, psychological stress, attitudes and overall performance (Sundstrom et al, 1994;George and Brief, 1992;McGuire and McLaren, 2009;Thatcher and Milner, 2012;Vischer, 2007;Huang et al, 2004;Hwang and Kim, 2013;O'Neill, 2010;Carlopio, 1996;Al-Anzi, 2009;Hua et al, 2011;Davis et al, 2011). Briner (2000) suggested that the nature and arrangement of designing and furnishing a place influence the frequency and type of interaction that takes place in an environment.…”

“…For instance, Amabile (1996) explained that physical workspaces which were designed to be motivating can promote the level of creativity; however this effect is not stronger than other aspects of the work environment such as social environment. Previous studies from different perspectives have shown that the perceived quality of the physical work environment influence people creativity (see for example: McCoy and Evans, 2002;Vithayathawornwong et al, 2003;Vischer, 2007;Oksanen and Ståhle, 2013). In fact, previous studies indicated the direct or indirect role of certain features of the physical work environment on creativity via mood (Hedge, 1982;Larsen et al, 1998;Shibata and Suzuki, 2004).…”

“…In general, the majority of them spend at least 50% of their time within an indoor physical environment that affects their thoughts, emotions and actions. Studies in social and environmental psychology have established that the quality of the physical environment have a critical effect on people's attitude and performance (McGuire and McLaren, 2009;Vischer, 2007;De Croon et al, 2005;Lee, 2007). Previous studies in the field of creativity also mentioned the role of the physical work environment in affecting creativity (McCoy and Evans, 2002;Oksanen and Ståhle, 2013;Vischer, 2007;Vithayathawornwong et al, 2003).…”