Effects of spatial autonomy on sense of control and work-related outcomes in VR-simulated home-based work environments

Abstract

Spatial autonomy—the opportunity to enact one’s spatial preferences in the physical environment—is an underexplored dimension of indoor environmental quality in home-based work (HBW) environments. This study examined how two forms of spatial autonomy, location control and configuration control, influence workers’ sense of control and work-related outcomes in virtual reality (VR)-simulated HBW environments. Using high-fidelity VR, two repeated-measures experiments compared autonomy-supported conditions with autonomy-restricted conditions. Study 1 focused on location control by comparing a self-selected preferred work location with an imposed least-preferred location. Study 2 focused on configuration control by comparing a self-configured furniture layout with an imposed layout that was incongruent with participants’ stated spatial priorities. Across both studies, autonomy-supported conditions increased participants’ sense of control and improved workspace satisfaction, inclination to use the same workspace, and self-rated performance. Configuration control generally produced stronger and more consistent effects than location control across subjective outcomes. By contrast, effects on objective cognitive performance were more modest and less consistent. The findings suggest that, in HBW environments, the benefits of spatial autonomy operate primarily through an enhanced sense of control and are especially pronounced when workers can meaningfully configure their immediate workspace. These results highlight the need for adaptable home workspace design and hybrid-work policies that recognize unequal opportunities for spatial autonomy in home-based work.