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Flexibility in use

Flexibility in use PurposeDespite their growing popularity among organisations, satisfaction with activity-based work (ABW) environments is found to be below expectations. Research also suggests that workers typically do not switch frequently, or not at all, between different activity settings. Hence, the purpose of this study is to answer two main questions: Is switching behaviour related to satisfaction with ABW environments? Which factors may explain switching behaviour?Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire data provided by users of ABW environments (n = 3,189) were used to carry out ANOVA and logistic regression analyses.FindingsSatisfaction ratings of the 4 per cent of the respondents who switched several times a day appeared to be significantly above average. Switching frequency was found to be positively related to heterogeneity of the activity profile, share of communication work and external mobility.Practical implicationsOur findings suggest that satisfaction with ABW environments might be enhanced by stimulating workers to switch more frequently. However, as strong objections against switching were observed and switching frequently does not seem to be compatible with all work patterns, this will presumably not work for everyone. Many workers are likely to be more satisfied if provided with an assigned (multifunctional) workstation.Originality/valueIn a large representative sample, clear evidence was found for relationships between behavioural aspects and appreciation of ABW environments that had not been studied previously. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Corporate Real Estate Emerald Publishing

Flexibility in use

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
1463-001X
DOI
10.1108/JCRE-10-2015-0033
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

PurposeDespite their growing popularity among organisations, satisfaction with activity-based work (ABW) environments is found to be below expectations. Research also suggests that workers typically do not switch frequently, or not at all, between different activity settings. Hence, the purpose of this study is to answer two main questions: Is switching behaviour related to satisfaction with ABW environments? Which factors may explain switching behaviour?Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire data provided by users of ABW environments (n = 3,189) were used to carry out ANOVA and logistic regression analyses.FindingsSatisfaction ratings of the 4 per cent of the respondents who switched several times a day appeared to be significantly above average. Switching frequency was found to be positively related to heterogeneity of the activity profile, share of communication work and external mobility.Practical implicationsOur findings suggest that satisfaction with ABW environments might be enhanced by stimulating workers to switch more frequently. However, as strong objections against switching were observed and switching frequently does not seem to be compatible with all work patterns, this will presumably not work for everyone. Many workers are likely to be more satisfied if provided with an assigned (multifunctional) workstation.Originality/valueIn a large representative sample, clear evidence was found for relationships between behavioural aspects and appreciation of ABW environments that had not been studied previously.

Journal

Journal of Corporate Real Estate – Emerald Publishing

Published: Apr 4, 2016

References

  • Habits as knowledge structures: automaticity in goal-directed behaviour
  • An end-user’s perspective on activity-based office concepts