ABSTRACT
Increasing productivity, stimulating knowledge sharing and satisfying employees. Three
objectives which are heard quite often during the design phase of an office. Both latter
objectives are often perceived as ways to increasing productivity as well. The Center for
People and Buildings (CfPB) in Delft, The Netherlands, has conducted a number of case
studies into employee satisfaction with the working environment and perceived productivity –
i.e the extent to which employees appraise the physical environment of the office as
supporting their productivity.. This paper focuses on physical characteristics of the office that
might influence the perceived productivity. According to our data (over 10.000 respondents
from 71 case studies), the ability to concentrate has a substantial influence on the perceived
productivity in general, as well as of the individual, the team and the organisation.
Respondents that are more satisfied with the ability to concentrate are also more likely to
experience the workplace as supportive for their productivity. The possibility to communicate
only has impact on the perceived team and organisational productivity. According to the
results, employees rate the general productivity primarily on the basis of their individual
productivity, rather than team productivity or organisational productivity. In connection to
work processes it appeared that for particular work processes employees judge the
functionality and comfort of the workplace as most important in affecting their perceived
productivity. These research findings may help facility managers in dealing with workplace
design and workplace management. It gives the facility manager a solid input to decision
making about the best possible office concept by taking into account the preferences of
employees.