Short answer

Designers should focus on enhancing acoustic privacy and aesthetic appeal in activity-based workplaces while proactively addressing potential communication gaps through thoughtful zoning and user guidance.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Ergonomics (2017)
Method: Mixed Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative)
Sample: 34 participants for longitudinal comparisons, 66 participants for retrospective ratings.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Relocating to an activity-based workplace (ABW) can significantly improve employee satisfaction with aspects like auditory privacy and aesthetics, even if it introduces new challenges in team communication. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in Ergonomics. Using Mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) with 34 participants for longitudinal comparisons, 66 participants for retrospective ratings., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should focus on enhancing acoustic privacy and aesthetic appeal in activity-based workplaces while proactively addressing potential communication gaps through thoughtful zoning and user guidance.

Study

Human FactorsHigh ImpactModerate effect

Activity-Based Workplaces Boost Satisfaction with Auditory Privacy and Aesthetics, Despite Communication Challenges

Ergonomics · 2017

Key Findings

01Significant increase in satisfaction with auditory privacy after relocation.
02Significant increase in satisfaction with background noise, air quality, outdoor view, and aesthetics.
03Negative outcomes, such as reduced intra-team communication, were attributed to a high people-to-workstation ratio and a lack of established rules.
04Overall satisfaction with the physical work environment improved in the ABW compared to the previous open-plan office.
05Perceived performance did not change significantly.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing or evaluating an activity-based workplace, conduct user research to understand specific needs for privacy, focus, and collaboration, and consider implementing clear usage guidelines.

Project actions

01When researching office environments, consider both objective measures (like noise levels) and subjective user experiences (like satisfaction).
02If exploring activity-based workplaces, investigate how different zones support various tasks and how users navigate these spaces.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the changes in employee perceptions of physical conditions, office use, communication, privacy, territoriality, satisfaction, and perceived performance following a company's transition from an open-plan office to an activity-based workplace.

MethodMixed Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative)

ProcedureThe study employed pre- and post-relocation questionnaires to track changes over time and gather retrospective ratings of perceived change. Post-relocation, focus groups, individual interviews, and observations were conducted to gain deeper insights into the employee experience.

Sample34 participants for longitudinal comparisons, 66 participants for retrospective ratings.

ContextOffice Design and Workplace Strategy

Variables

IV["Office type (Open-plan vs. Activity-Based Workplace)","Relocation event"]

DV["Satisfaction with auditory privacy","Satisfaction with background noise","Satisfaction with air quality","Satisfaction with outdoor view","Satisfaction with aesthetics","Communication within teams","Territoriality","Overall satisfaction with physical work environment","Perceived performance"]

CV["Company culture","Specific implementation details of the ABW","Pre-existing employee roles and team structures"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Mixed-methods approach provides both breadth and depth of understanding.
+Longitudinal data collection allows for direct comparison before and after the change.

Limitations

Case studies can be specific to the company culture and the exact implementation of the ABW, making direct comparisons difficult.

Reliability & validity

The use of multiple data collection methods (questionnaires, interviews, observations) enhances the validity of the findings. Reliability would depend on the consistency of questionnaire responses and the inter-rater reliability of observational data.

Think critically

To what extent can the negative impacts on communication in ABWs be overcome through design interventions versus organizational policies and user training?

Design Principles

"Balance the need for diverse work settings with clear guidelines to foster both individual focus and effective team collaboration."

Understanding the trade-offs in ABW design is crucial for creating work environments that balance individual needs for focus and privacy with the collective needs for collaboration. Designers must consider how the physical layout impacts social dynamics and communication flows.

What This Means for Your Design

Moving to a new type of office where you can choose where to work (activity-based) made people happier with how quiet it was and how it looked, but some found it harder to talk to their colleagues.

How to use in your project

1.Use this study to justify the importance of user satisfaction and privacy in workplace design projects.
2.Cite findings on improved auditory privacy and aesthetics when discussing the benefits of well-designed flexible workspaces.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that activity-based workplaces can lead to increased employee satisfaction with auditory privacy and aesthetics, as observed in a study by Rolfö, Eklund, and Jahncke (2017). However, designers must also address potential drawbacks such as reduced intra-team communication, which can be mitigated through careful planning of work zones and user guidelines.

Source

Ergonomics

Perceptions of performance and satisfaction after relocation to an activity-based office

journal · 2017

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about activity-based workplaces boost satisfaction with auditory privacy and aesthetics, despite communication challenges?: Designers should focus on enhancing acoustic privacy and aesthetic appeal in activity-based workplaces while proactively addressing potential communication gaps through thoughtful zoning and user guidance. Evidence: Ergonomics (2017).
Why does "Activity-Based Workplaces Boost Satisfaction with Auditory Privacy and Aesthetics, Despite Communication Challenges" matter for design?: Understanding the trade-offs in ABW design is crucial for creating work environments that balance individual needs for focus and privacy with the collective needs for collaboration. Designers must consider how the physical layout impacts social dynamics and communication flows.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers should focus on enhancing acoustic privacy and aesthetic appeal in activity-based workplaces while proactively addressing potential communication gaps through thoughtful zoning and user guidance.
What were the main findings?: Significant increase in satisfaction with auditory privacy after relocation.. Significant increase in satisfaction with background noise, air quality, outdoor view, and aesthetics.. Negative outcomes, such as reduced intra-team communication, were attributed to a high people-to-workstation ratio and a lack of established rules.. Overall satisfaction with the physical work environment improved in the ABW compared to the previous open-plan office.
What research method was used?: Mixed Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative) with 34 participants for longitudinal comparisons, 66 participants for retrospective ratings..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2017 journal from Ergonomics.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or evaluating an activity-based workplace, conduct user research to understand specific needs for privacy, focus, and collaboration, and consider implementing clear usage guidelines.
What are the limitations?: The study was a case study, and findings may not be generalizable to all ABW implementations. The high people-to-workstation ratio and lack of rules were specific contextual factors.