Short answer
When designing or implementing flexible office solutions, prioritize thorough analysis of user needs and existing workflows, and ensure robust stakeholder consultation to mitigate potential negative impacts on well-being and satisfaction.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- Facilities (2023)
- Method
- Mixed-methods research
- Sample
- 169 participants at T1, 160 participants at T2, 180 open-ended responses
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Implementing activity-based flexible offices in academic settings can negatively impact staff perceptions of their physical and psychosocial work environment, leading to reduced job satisfaction. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Facilities. Using Mixed-methods research with 169 participants at T1, 160 participants at T2, 180 open-ended responses, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing or implementing flexible office solutions, prioritize thorough analysis of user needs and existing workflows, and ensure robust stakeholder consultation to mitigate potential negative impacts on well-being and satisfaction.
Activity-Based Flexible Offices Decrease Job Satisfaction and Perceived Work Environment in Academia
Implementing activity-based flexible offices in academic settings can negatively impact staff perceptions of their physical and psychosocial work environment, leading to reduced job satisfaction.
Facilities · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Employees increased their working from home post-relocation.
- 02Significant decreases were observed in perceptions of the physical work environment.
- 03Significant decreases were observed in perceptions of the psychosocial work environment.
- 04Job satisfaction decreased after the move to the new premises.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing or implementing flexible office solutions, prioritize thorough analysis of user needs and existing workflows, and ensure robust stakeholder consultation to mitigate potential negative impacts on well-being and satisfaction.
How to apply
Before implementing activity-based flexible offices, conduct detailed user research to understand specific task requirements, collaboration needs, and preferences for different work settings. Pilot test proposed layouts and gather feedback before full implementation.
Project actions
- 01When researching office environments, consider both the physical layout and how it affects people's feelings and interactions.
- 02Use surveys to gather opinions from many people, and then ask follow-up questions to understand their reasons.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Longitudinal design allows for tracking changes over time.
- +Mixed-methods approach provides both quantitative trends and qualitative depth.
Limitations
The study's findings are specific to an academic context and may not apply to all industries. Perceptions can be subjective and influenced by factors beyond the office environment itself.
Reliability & validity
Reliability was likely supported by consistent survey instruments across time points. Validity may be strengthened by the mixed-methods approach, where qualitative data can corroborate or explain quantitative findings, though reliance on self-reported perceptions introduces potential for subjective bias.
Think critically
To what extent are the negative outcomes of activity-based flexible offices inherent to the concept, versus a result of poor implementation or specific organizational culture?
Design Principles
"The design of work environments must actively support, rather than detract from, the perceived quality of the physical and psychosocial aspects of work to maintain or enhance job satisfaction."
This research highlights potential pitfalls in adopting flexible office designs, particularly in environments with established work cultures. Designers and facility managers must consider the nuanced needs of academic staff and the potential for unintended consequences on well-being and productivity.
What This Means for Your Design
Moving to a new office where you can choose your workspace (activity-based flexible office) made people in this study feel their work environment was worse and they were less happy with their jobs, so they started working from home more.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the potential negative impacts of flexible office designs on user well-being and job satisfaction in your design project.
- 2.Use the findings to justify the importance of user research and stakeholder consultation in your design process.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that the implementation of activity-based flexible offices in academic settings can lead to a decline in perceived physical and psychosocial work environments, alongside reduced job satisfaction. This suggests that such design interventions require careful consideration of existing work processes and collaborative needs, with significant stakeholder involvement to mitigate negative consequences.
Source
Facilities
Consequences of implementing activity-based flexible offices in academia: a follow-up study of perceived changes in the physical and psychosocial work environment after relocation
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about activity-based flexible offices decrease job satisfaction and perceived work environment in academia?
- When designing or implementing flexible office solutions, prioritize thorough analysis of user needs and existing workflows, and ensure robust stakeholder consultation to mitigate potential negative impacts on well-being and satisfaction. Evidence: Facilities (2023).
- Why does "Activity-Based Flexible Offices Decrease Job Satisfaction and Perceived Work Environment in Academia" matter for design?
- This research highlights potential pitfalls in adopting flexible office designs, particularly in environments with established work cultures. Designers and facility managers must consider the nuanced needs of academic staff and the potential for unintended consequences on well-being and productivity.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing or implementing flexible office solutions, prioritize thorough analysis of user needs and existing workflows, and ensure robust stakeholder consultation to mitigate potential negative impacts on well-being and satisfaction.
- What were the main findings?
- Employees increased their working from home post-relocation.. Significant decreases were observed in perceptions of the physical work environment.. Significant decreases were observed in perceptions of the psychosocial work environment.. Job satisfaction decreased after the move to the new premises.
- What research method was used?
- Mixed-methods research with 169 participants at T1, 160 participants at T2, 180 open-ended responses.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Facilities.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Before implementing activity-based flexible offices, conduct detailed user research to understand specific task requirements, collaboration needs, and preferences for different work settings. Pilot test proposed layouts and gather feedback before full implementation.
- What are the limitations?
- The study was conducted at a single academic institution in Sweden, which may limit generalizability to other sectors or cultural contexts. The focus was on perceived changes, which may not always align with objective measures.