Skip to main content
Mobile
  • Finance, Accounting & Economics
  • Global Business Management
  • Management, Leadership & Organisation
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Strategy
  • Technology & Operations
HS Talks HS Talks
Subjects  
Search
  • Notifications
    Notifications

    No current notifications.

  • User
    Welcome Guest
    You have Limited Access The Business & Management Collection
    Login
    Get Assistance
    Login
    Forgot your password?
    Login via your organisation
    Login via Organisation
    Get Assistance
Finance, Accounting & Economics
Global Business Management
Management, Leadership & Organisation
Marketing & Sales
Strategy
Technology & Operations
You currently don't have access to this journal. Request access now.
Research paper

Quantifying the impact of environmental conditions on worker performance for inputting to a business case to justify enhanced workplace design features

Nigel Oseland and Adrian Burton
Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, 1 (2), 151-165 (2012)
https://doi.org/10.69554/FMCW7865

Abstract

Despite the plethora of research showing the impact of environmental conditions on performance, the majority of UK businesses do not accept changes in productivity as part of the business case justification for improvements to the working environment. The authors' intention was to develop a practical methodology to help predict the potential gain in worker productivity that can be expected following design improvements. They carried out a literature review of productivity research and conducted a meta-analysis of 75 studies to quantify the impact of environmental conditions and design factors on performance. The unique aspect of the literature review is that the reported percentage changes in performance were weighted according to the relevance of the research study to real offices and office workers. The weightings converted the widely varying raw research results into what appears to be a more credible range of performance effects. The authors believe that their figures are ones that are more likely to be accepted by financial directors when used in building a business case. Due to the lack of rigorous multiple-factor studies, they proposed that the effect on performance of single factors can be added, but using a relationship based on the law of diminishing returns. Re-analysis of recent research of combined factors indicates that a ‘two-thirds, one-third’ rule of thumb may be appropriate. The authors believe that they have created a robust methodology for quantifying performance effects and using in the business case for workplace improvements.

Keywords: business; workplace; productivity; performance; review; benchmark; design

The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.

Already a subscriber? Login or review other options.

Author's Biography

Nigel Oseland is an environmental psychologist, workplace strategist, researcher, international speaker and published author with 11 years’ research and 21 years’ consulting experience. He advises occupiers on how to redefine their workstyles to provide workplaces that enhance individual and organisational performance. Nigel specialises in strategic briefing to create workspaces that improve collaboration, creativity and concentration while meeting psychological needs. To support his advice on workplace design, Nigel conducts independent research on key topics relevant to the workplace community, including psychoacoustics, environmental conditions, personality and personal preferences, interaction and collaboration and workplace loneliness.

Citation

Oseland, Nigel and Burton, Adrian (2012, July 1). Quantifying the impact of environmental conditions on worker performance for inputting to a business case to justify enhanced workplace design features. In the Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, Volume 1, Issue 2. https://doi.org/10.69554/FMCW7865.

Options

  • Download PDF
  • Share this page
    Share This Article
    Messaging
    • Outlook
    • Gmail
    • Yahoo!
    • WhatsApp
    Social
    • Facebook
    • X
    • LinkedIn
    • VKontakte
    Permalink
cover image, Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation
Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation
Volume 1 / Issue 2
© Henry Stewart
Publications LLP

The Business & Management Collection

  • ISSN: 2059-7177
  • Contact Us
  • Request Free Trial
  • Recommend to Your Librarian
  • Subscription Information
  • Match Content
  • Share This Collection
  • Embed Options
  • View Quick Start Guide
  • Accessibility

Categories

  • Finance, Accounting & Economics
  • Global Business Management
  • Management, Leadership & Organisation
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Strategy
  • Technology & Operations

Librarian Information

  • General Information
  • MARC Records
  • Discovery Services
  • Onsite & Offsite Access
  • Federated (Shibboleth) Access
  • Usage Statistics
  • Promotional Materials
  • Testimonials

About Us

  • About HSTalks
  • Editors
  • Contact Information
  • About the Journals

HSTalks Home

Follow Us On:

HS Talks
  • Site Requirements
  • Copyright & Permissions
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
© Copyright Henry Stewart Talks Ltd

Personal Account Required

To use this function, you need to be signed in with a personal account.

If you already have a personal account, please login here.

Otherwise you may sign up now for a personal account.

HS Talks

Cookies and Privacy

We use cookies, and similar tools, to improve the way this site functions, to track browsing patterns and enable marketing. For more information read our cookie policy and privacy policy.

Cookie Settings

How Cookies Are Used

Cookies are of the following types:

  • Essential to make the site function.
  • Used to analyse and improve visitor experience.

For more information see our Cookie Policy.

Some types of cookies can be disabled by you but doing so may adversely affect functionality. Please see below:

(always on)

If you block these cookies or set alerts in your browser parts of the website will not work.

Cookies that provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. If not allowed functionality may be impaired.

Cookies that count and track visits and on website activity enabling us to organise the website to optimise the experience of users. They may be blocked without immediate adverse effect.