Workplace change process and satisfaction with activity-based office

Purpose The purpose of this case study is to investigate how the personnel in an organization experienced the process of change when moving from private offices to an activity-based office (ABO) and how their perceptions of change were associated with changes in their satisfaction with the work environment a year after relocation. Design/methodology/approach A comparative pre-post study design and mixed methods were used. Survey data was obtained from 154 employees before the relocation and 146 after the relocation. The data on the 105 employees who responded to both surveys were statistically analyzed. Representatives of different units were interviewed (n = 17) and documentary material was analyzed as complementary material. Findings The personnel’s criticisms concerned the reasons for the change, their opportunities to influence the office design and the extent to which their views were taken into account. Environmental satisfaction decreased after moving to the ABO. The personnel’s ratings of the workplace change process before the relocation were associated with the later change in environmental satisfaction. Based on logistic regression, the degree of agreement with management’s reasons for the change was the strongest predictor of the change in environmental satisfaction. Practical implications Organizations that move from private offices to an ABO should invest in high-quality change management and simultaneously develop both work and facilities. Special attention should be paid to clarifying the rationale for the change to the employees and to providing them with opportunities to influence during the change. Organizations should continue to monitor user experiences and evaluate the effects of the change after the office redesign and should take corrective action as needed. Originality/value This empirical case study is unique as it combined qualitative and quantitative methods and investigated the process of relocation and its outcomes in a one-year follow-up. This approach captured the importance of managing change and assessing the long-term effects of office redesign when moving from private offices to an ABO.

The Importance of Patient Expectations: A Mixed-Methods Study of U.S. Psychiatrists

Objective: To examine how psychiatrists think about and modulate non-specific factors (e.g., hope, expectations) in clinical practice.Methods: U.S. psychiatrists were recruited for two studies assessing attitudes and behaviors related to non-specific factors. Study 1 entailed remote qualitative focus groups (k = 7) with n = 26 participants (36.0% female). Study 2 was a quantitative survey with n = 346 respondents (34.0% female) designed to assess the generalizability of focus group findings.Results: Four themes were identified in Study 1 that were used to inform the survey (Study 2): (1) Expectations (2) Hope, (3) Placebo Effect, and (4) Aesthetic Features. Nearly all surveyed psychiatrists (92.2%) considered patient expectations at least “most of the time” when interacting with a patient. Focus groups revealed that psychiatrists often attempt to balance optimism and realism to improve outcomes. A majority of survey respondents believed office design and physician attire could at least somewhat influence expectations (72.5 and 77.3%, respectively) and even outcomes (51.5 and 58.7%, respectively). Focus group psychiatrists described how physical features may be used as therapeutic tools.Conclusions: Psychiatrists are highly mindful of patient expectations. Although there is variability in the perceived importance of expectations, hope, the placebo effect, and aesthetic features, many utilize these factors in clinical practice.

How Does Office Design Support Employees’ Health? A Case Study on the Relationships among Employees’ Perceptions of the Office Environment, Their Sense of Coherence and Office Design

This study investigated the current design circumstances of an office as well as employees’ perceptions of the office environment in relation to their perceived health, drawing on sense of coherence theory (comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness). Previous studies have related the physical office environment to employee health. However, most studies have focused on alleviating negative effects, while health-promoting potential, including employee sense of coherence, has been overlooked. This study adopted a mixed method case study approach, combining semi-structured interviews with employees, structured observations, and analysis of architectural drawings. The results indicated that employees’ perceptions did not always align with the ideas behind the architectural design and that employees understood the environment differently. The study also highlighted the interrelations (and contradictions) among the different components of sense of coherence. The findings imply that organizations may need to prioritize which components of coherence should be supported most by the office environment. It also suggests that case-specific design aspects should play a more central role in studying and conceptualizing healthy office design and that design solutions should be continuously modified during the use phase, while ensuring employees’ participation. The study concluded that an ‘ideal’ office environment should not be the goal. Instead, office design should provide an environment in which employees are able to cope with challenges in comprehensible, manageable and meaningful ways.

Towards A Dadaist interior

<p>Modern interior design has reached a plateau. Due to the anaesthesia brought about by mass information sharing and the dominance of the image, very little innovation has occurred, stylistically as many designers simply seek to regurgitate each other’s designs instead of treading new ground. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the modern day office; as a program that is deliberately aimed towards productivity and profit, office design has been streamlined to achieve these ends often leading to unpleasant working environments. The study of the Dada movement and one of its key practitioners, Marcel Duchamp, led to a question regarding the possible architectural implications that his work and his subversive manner of working has to offer and if it have any relevance in contemporary practice. This thesis proposes an alternative to the modern office interior through a detailed investigation into the theory and practices of Marcel Duchamp. It aims to further examine the architectural implications of his work through in depth analysis of his methods using assemblage, as well as his theoretical investigations in perspective and representation. Through these investigations I hope to develop a new design language that simultaneously critiques the modern office interior as well as furthering the research already done into the Dada movement and Architecture.</p>

Towards A Dadaist interior

<p>Modern interior design has reached a plateau. Due to the anaesthesia brought about by mass information sharing and the dominance of the image, very little innovation has occurred, stylistically as many designers simply seek to regurgitate each other’s designs instead of treading new ground. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the modern day office; as a program that is deliberately aimed towards productivity and profit, office design has been streamlined to achieve these ends often leading to unpleasant working environments. The study of the Dada movement and one of its key practitioners, Marcel Duchamp, led to a question regarding the possible architectural implications that his work and his subversive manner of working has to offer and if it have any relevance in contemporary practice. This thesis proposes an alternative to the modern office interior through a detailed investigation into the theory and practices of Marcel Duchamp. It aims to further examine the architectural implications of his work through in depth analysis of his methods using assemblage, as well as his theoretical investigations in perspective and representation. Through these investigations I hope to develop a new design language that simultaneously critiques the modern office interior as well as furthering the research already done into the Dada movement and Architecture.</p>

Just a Phase? Assessment of the Potential for Phase Change Materials in New Zealand Buildings

<p>Phase change materials in buildings could save energy and cost by bridging the gap between when energy is available and when it is needed. This is because they are capable of storing and releasing large amounts of energy by melting and solidifying at an appropriate temperature for use in buildings. Yet, despite being in development for decades, PCM building materials have not achieved significant market penetration. This thesis investigates ways in which Phase Change Materials have been used in buildings in the past and what products are currently available. The investigation suggests that because of cost these materials might be appropriately applied to commercial interiors. It explores the history of office design internationally and in New Zealand and suggests alternative ways in which PCM materials could be used that would be attractive to designers and architects. By assessing the results of two modelling studies this research is able to suggest at what cost these products may become viable. The thesis concludes that market penetration unlikely to change significantly unless one or more of the following occur; A significantly cheaper, and sustainable, PCM is found Domestic electricity prices rise so dramatically that the potential 20% space heating saving accruing from PCMs becomes far more significant A level of design value is added to the development of PCM products in order to attract a wider market In the making of low energy and sustainable buildings it has been recognised that a multi-disciplinary approach is vital for a successful outcome, and it would seem logical that same would be true of developing new products towards the goal of sustainability. Designers and engineers must work collaboratively to create desirable products and accurate and validated information about their performance in buildings is needed for architects to persuade clients to use new materials and take the lead in the process of achieving majority acceptance. Despite previous international research, these studies show that in New Zealand PCM application has more benefit in residential applications than in the commercial sector.</p>

Just a Phase? Assessment of the Potential for Phase Change Materials in New Zealand Buildings

<p>Phase change materials in buildings could save energy and cost by bridging the gap between when energy is available and when it is needed. This is because they are capable of storing and releasing large amounts of energy by melting and solidifying at an appropriate temperature for use in buildings. Yet, despite being in development for decades, PCM building materials have not achieved significant market penetration. This thesis investigates ways in which Phase Change Materials have been used in buildings in the past and what products are currently available. The investigation suggests that because of cost these materials might be appropriately applied to commercial interiors. It explores the history of office design internationally and in New Zealand and suggests alternative ways in which PCM materials could be used that would be attractive to designers and architects. By assessing the results of two modelling studies this research is able to suggest at what cost these products may become viable. The thesis concludes that market penetration unlikely to change significantly unless one or more of the following occur; A significantly cheaper, and sustainable, PCM is found Domestic electricity prices rise so dramatically that the potential 20% space heating saving accruing from PCMs becomes far more significant A level of design value is added to the development of PCM products in order to attract a wider market In the making of low energy and sustainable buildings it has been recognised that a multi-disciplinary approach is vital for a successful outcome, and it would seem logical that same would be true of developing new products towards the goal of sustainability. Designers and engineers must work collaboratively to create desirable products and accurate and validated information about their performance in buildings is needed for architects to persuade clients to use new materials and take the lead in the process of achieving majority acceptance. Despite previous international research, these studies show that in New Zealand PCM application has more benefit in residential applications than in the commercial sector.</p>

Productivity, Satisfaction, Work Environment and Health after Relocation to an Activity-Based Flex Office—The Active Office Design Study

Implementation of activity-based flex offices (AFOs) are becoming increasingly common. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an AFO on perceived productivity, satisfaction, work environment and health. Questionnaire data from the longitudinal, quasi-experimental Active Office Design Study was used. The study evaluates a public organization relocating staff to either an AFO or to cell offices. Measures from baseline, 6 and 18 months after relocation, were analyzed. Employees in the AFO experienced a decreased productivity and satisfaction with the office design. Lack of privacy as well as increased noise disturbance, less satisfaction with sit comfort and work posture were reported. Employees in the AFO with work tasks requiring a high degree of concentration experienced lower productivity while those with a high proportion of teamwork rated productivity to be continually high. No significant group differences were found between the two office types in general health, cognitive stress, salutogenic health indicators or pain in the neck, shoulder or back. The study highlights the importance of taking work characteristics into account in the planning and implementation process of an AFO. Flexible and interactive tasks seem more appropriate in an AFO, whereas individual tasks demanding concentration seem less fit.

De-scripting office design: exploring design intentions in use

Purpose This paper aims to explore how users respond to office design through their use of space. Intentions for how office spaces should be used can be not only understood as sociomaterial scripts that are inscribed into the architecture by designers but also communicated through organisational change processes. The paper elaborates on how users de-script office spaces, that is, how they respond to these scripts through use. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a case study of an office design intervention in a public organisation. Taking a sociomaterial approach, the paper uses the concepts of scripting and de-scripting to analyse the data. Findings The findings show that users subscribe to, repair, resist or re-script design scripts. This suggests that users can enact agency in use through creative acts of appropriation. Further, both materiality and user participation play equivocal roles in user responses. Research limitations/implications The paper is based on a single case study where the design process was studied retrospectively. The case is regarded as typical of contemporary office design processes, but more studies that follow projects from design into use are needed. Practical implications This suggests that design solutions should be better adapted to the work practices instead of applying generic concepts to specific situations and that design and use should be understood as overlapping processes. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in linking aspects of the design process with user responses and in taking a sociomaterial approach to examine design and use.