Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore which factors may explain the high or low percentages of satisfied employees in offices with shared activity-based workplaces. Design/methodology/approach – The paper compares data on employee satisfaction from two cases with remarkably high satisfaction scores and two cases with significantly lower satisfaction scores (total N = 930), all of the same organisation. These cases were selected from a database with employee responses to a standardised questionnaire in 52 flexible work environments. In the four case studies, also group interviews were conducted. Findings – Overall, there are large differences in employee satisfaction between cases with, at first sight, a similar activity-based office concept. The main differences between the best and worst cases regard employee satisfaction with the interior design, level of openness, subdivision of space, number and diversity of work places and accessibility of the building. Employee satisfaction shows to be influenced by many physical characteristics of the work environment and by the implementation process. Satisfaction with the organisation may have an impact as well. Research limitations/implications – Almost all cases regard Dutch organisations. Due to the lack of quantitative scales to define the physical characteristics of the work environment, the study is mainly descriptive and explorative and does not include advanced multivariate statistical analyses. Practical implicationsThe data revealed clear critical success factors including a supportive spatial layout to facilitate communication and concentration, attractive architectural design, ergonomic furniture, appropriate storage facilities and coping with psychological and physical needs, such as privacy, thermal comfort, daylight and view. Critical process factors are the commitment of managers, a balance between a top-down and a bottom-up approach and clear instructions on how to use activity-based workplaces. Originality/value – The study connects descriptive research with inductive reasoning to explore why employees may be satisfied or dissatisfied with flex offices. It is based on a combination of quantitative survey data from 52 cases and a closer look at two best cases and two worst cases based on qualitative data from interviews and personal observations. The study has high practical value due to the integral approach that incorporates many items of the physical environment and context factors like the implementation process.@en

Toekomstverkenning door Center for people and Buildings i.s.m. Hospitality Group en 12 grote kantoorhoudende organisaties waaronder belastingdienst, SVB, ING, ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, Kadaster, ABN Amro.@en

This chapter discusses possible aims, tools and deliverables of Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POE) (otherwise known as building-in-use studies), with a focus on interventions in supporting facilities. POE has a long tradition and has been applied in different fields (e.g. offices, educational buildings, health care facilities, retail and leisure, as well as residential areas). The objectives of POE are various and can include; delivering input to an improvement plan; building up a generic body of knowledge by exploring and testing scientific theories; and developing practical design guidelines and decision support tools. Data collection tools are also varied, ranging from observations, interviews and web-based questionnaires to walk-throughs and use of narratives. A number of different data analysis techniques are available as well, including qualitative methods, such as content analysis, and quantitative methods, such as descriptive and inductive statistical analyses. A case study illustrates the application of different data collection tools. This case study seeks answers to the effects of new ways of working on employee satisfaction and perceived labour productivity. This study has been conducted by the Center for People and Buildings, Delft, the Netherlands, which specialises in research into the relations between people, working activities and the working environment. The case is an example of physical interventions including changing the office lay-out, new furniture, new information and communication technology (ICT) and document storage systems, as well as the flexible use of workplaces. A POE of three pilots has been conducted to test if the new environment performed well as perceived by the managers and employees. The research data has been used in the first instance in order to test if the organizational goals and objectives have been attained; and to support decisions with regard to the next steps in this change process. The research data has been used in the second instance more generically, as input to a database for cross-case analyses, exploring and testing hypotheses and benchmarking objectives.@en

Kenniswerkers ontlenen hun motivatie en plezier in het werk vooral aan interessant werk met waardevolle resultaten, leuke collega’s, een goed salaris en doorgroeimogelijkheden. Goede huisvesting en andere faciliteiten die de organisatie en het werk effectief en efficiënt ondersteunen zijn evenzeer belangrijk. Maar wat zijn nu precies die omgevingskenmerken die zorgen voor tevreden en productieve medewerkers? Onderzoek door het Delftse kenniscentrum Center for People and Buildings (CfPB) brengt interessante feiten aan het licht.@en