Office Productivity: Contributions of the Physical Setting.
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of ergonomically-suited, task-oriented workstations on employee productivity and satisfaction, and analyzed the costs and benefits of providing new state-of-the-art office furniture. Facility managers can use the information in this report when appraising work environments. A new workstation design and arrangement was composed for two work sections at the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Construction Supply Center (DCSC), Columbus, OH, using two different types of furniture: systems furniture (components attached to partitions/panels), and conventional General Services Administration (GSA) furniture. A productivity index, derived from archival performance data, and employee satisfaction ratings were compared before and after furniture installation. Results from the group receiving systems furniture showed that environmental improvement has a significant positive impact on both productivity and satisfaction. Amortization of the cost of providing a workstation equipped with systems furniture, when space savings and increased productivity were considered, was computed to be 10.8 months.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA173452
Entities
People
- David L. Dressel
- Joellen Francis
- Robert D. Neathammer
- Scott A. Macarthur
Organizations
- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory