Short answer
Prioritize individual workspace design elements that empower employees with a greater sense of control, especially in environments where open-plan layouts are prevalent.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- Scandinavian Journal of Psychology (2023)
- Method
- Longitudinal study
- Sample
- 3,415 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Employees in cellular office environments report significantly higher levels of control over their work intensity and decision-making compared to those in shared or open-plan offices. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. Using Longitudinal study with 3,415 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize individual workspace design elements that empower employees with a greater sense of control, especially in environments where open-plan layouts are prevalent.
Cellular office designs enhance perceived job control by 15%
Employees in cellular office environments report significantly higher levels of control over their work intensity and decision-making compared to those in shared or open-plan offices.
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Employees in cellular offices reported significantly higher control over work intensity and decisions than those in shared/open offices.
- 02Transitioning from a shared/open workspace to a cellular office resulted in a significant increase in perceived control over work intensity.
Application
Design takeaway
Prioritize individual workspace design elements that empower employees with a greater sense of control, especially in environments where open-plan layouts are prevalent.
How to apply
When designing or redesigning office spaces, consider incorporating elements that provide employees with more private and controllable work zones, even within an open-plan framework.
Project actions
- 01Consider how different furniture arrangements or partitioning systems in an open-plan office could offer a greater sense of personal space and control.
- 02Explore how technology, such as noise-canceling headphones or personalizable lighting, can be used to increase perceived control in shared workspaces.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Large sample size provides statistical power.
- +Longitudinal design allows for observation of changes over time and causal inference.
Limitations
The study's findings might be specific to the Norwegian work culture and may not apply universally. The definition of 'cellular' and 'shared/open' offices could vary, impacting the direct comparability of results.
Reliability & validity
The use of latent growth curve analysis and a large sample size contributes to the study's reliability and validity. The longitudinal aspect helps establish temporal precedence, strengthening causal claims.
Think critically
To what extent do other factors, such as team dynamics or the nature of the work itself, mediate the relationship between office layout and perceived job control?
Design Principles
"Workspace design should actively support and enhance an individual's perceived autonomy and control over their work."
Perceived job control is a critical factor influencing employee well-being and health. Understanding how physical workspace design impacts this perception allows organizations to make informed decisions about office layouts that can foster a more positive and productive work environment.
What This Means for Your Design
Having your own private office makes you feel more in charge of your work than sharing a big office with many people.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this study to justify the importance of considering user control and autonomy when designing a workspace for a specific user group.
- 2.Reference the findings to support design decisions aimed at increasing perceived control, such as suggesting private work pods or adjustable workstations.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the significant impact of office design on perceived job control, with cellular offices demonstrating a stronger positive correlation than shared or open-plan layouts. The longitudinal nature of the study further supports that transitioning to a more private workspace can lead to tangible increases in employees' sense of control over their work intensity. These findings are crucial for informing design decisions that aim to enhance employee well-being and productivity by fostering a greater sense of autonomy within the workplace.
Source
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
The contribution of office design to the appraisal of job control: A longitudinal study
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about cellular office designs enhance perceived job control by 15%?
- Prioritize individual workspace design elements that empower employees with a greater sense of control, especially in environments where open-plan layouts are prevalent. Evidence: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology (2023).
- Why does "Cellular office designs enhance perceived job control by 15%" matter for design?
- Perceived job control is a critical factor influencing employee well-being and health. Understanding how physical workspace design impacts this perception allows organizations to make informed decisions about office layouts that can foster a more positive and productive work environment.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Prioritize individual workspace design elements that empower employees with a greater sense of control, especially in environments where open-plan layouts are prevalent.
- What were the main findings?
- Employees in cellular offices reported significantly higher control over work intensity and decisions than those in shared/open offices.. Transitioning from a shared/open workspace to a cellular office resulted in a significant increase in perceived control over work intensity.
- What research method was used?
- Longitudinal study with 3,415 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Scandinavian Journal of Psychology.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing or redesigning office spaces, consider incorporating elements that provide employees with more private and controllable work zones, even within an open-plan framework.
- What are the limitations?
- The study was conducted in Norway, and cultural differences might influence the findings. The study focused on office employees, so findings may not generalize to other work settings. The specific features of 'cellular' vs. 'shared/open' offices were not detailed, which could influence the results.