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Performance loss in open‐plan offices due to noise by speech

Performance loss in open‐plan offices due to noise by speech Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how the performance of the personnel can be negatively affected by conversations, adjacent to the working space, in an open‐plan office environment. Design/methodology/approach – Using two scientific mathematical models it is possible to quantify the performance losses, as a result of adjacent conversations, with various desk layouts in an open‐plan office. Findings – The results obtained from the underlying Finnish study can be improved by applying a regression analysis to the recorded research results. The modified deviation formula not only corresponds more closely to the research results, but also produces a better translation of the speech intelligibility index to the intelligibility qualifications, as shown in the guideline NPR 3438. Originality/value – It is reasonable to conclude that performance loss, as a result of a poor acoustic situation, can be related to the speech intelligibility in a space. The relationship between the speech intelligibility index and performance loss makes it possible to design on the basis of productivity improvement, resulting in a comfortable acoustic working environment and a consistent financial advantage for the organisation. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Facilities Management Emerald Publishing

Performance loss in open‐plan offices due to noise by speech

Paul Roelofsen
Journal of Facilities Management , Volume 6 (3): 10 – Jul 11, 2008
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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1472-5967
DOI
10.1108/14725960810885970
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how the performance of the personnel can be negatively affected by conversations, adjacent to the working space, in an open‐plan office environment. Design/methodology/approach – Using two scientific mathematical models it is possible to quantify the performance losses, as a result of adjacent conversations, with various desk layouts in an open‐plan office. Findings – The results obtained from the underlying Finnish study can be improved by applying a regression analysis to the recorded research results. The modified deviation formula not only corresponds more closely to the research results, but also produces a better translation of the speech intelligibility index to the intelligibility qualifications, as shown in the guideline NPR 3438. Originality/value – It is reasonable to conclude that performance loss, as a result of a poor acoustic situation, can be related to the speech intelligibility in a space. The relationship between the speech intelligibility index and performance loss makes it possible to design on the basis of productivity improvement, resulting in a comfortable acoustic working environment and a consistent financial advantage for the organisation.

Journal

Journal of Facilities Management – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jul 11, 2008

Keywords: Employee productivity; Performance levels; Noise control; Acoustics; Open plan offices; Finland

References

  • Criteria for acoustic comfort in open‐plan offices
    Bradley, J.S.; Gover, B.N.
  • The impact of open plan speech noise on employee productivity & satisfaction and the facility solutions
    Folsom, F.W.; Koenig, Th.A.
  • A model predicting the effect of speech of varying intelligibility on work performance
    Hongisto, V.
  • Ergonomie – Beoordeling van spraakverstaanbaarheid
    NEN‐EN‐ISO‐9921
  • Ergonomie – Geluidhinder op de arbeidsplaats – Bepaling van de mate van verstoring van communicatie en concentratie
    NPR 3438
  • Geluid en het moderne kantoor
    Russel, P.
  • Sound propagation between two adjacent rectangular workstations in an open plan office
    Wang, C.; Bradley, J.S.