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

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Öhrn

    (Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Viktoria Wahlström

    (Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Mette S. Harder

    (Umeå School of Architecture, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Maria Nordin

    (Department of Psychology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Anita Pettersson-Strömbäck

    (Department of Psychology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Christina Bodin Danielsson

    (The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), School of Architecture and the Built Environment, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • David Olsson

    (Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Martin Andersson

    (Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Lisbeth Slunga Järvholm

    (Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Öhrn & Viktoria Wahlström & Mette S. Harder & Maria Nordin & Anita Pettersson-Strömbäck & Christina Bodin Danielsson & David Olsson & Martin Andersson & Lisbeth Slunga Järvholm, 2021. "Productivity, Satisfaction, Work Environment and Health after Relocation to an Activity-Based Flex Office—The Active Office Design Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7640-:d:596538
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lauren Arundell & Bronwyn Sudholz & Megan Teychenne & Jo Salmon & Brooke Hayward & Genevieve N. Healy & Anna Timperio, 2018. "The Impact of Activity Based Working (ABW) on Workplace Activity, Eating Behaviours, Productivity, and Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-16, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Viktoria Wahlström & Mikael Nygren & David Olsson & Frida Bergman & Charlotte Lewis, 2022. "Validity of Three Survey Questions for Self-Assessed Sedentary Time," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-9, April.
    2. Katarzyna Kocur-Bera & Iwona Grzelka, 2022. "Impact of Modern Technologies on the Organization of the Cadastral Data Modernization Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-22, December.

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