Employees' perceptions of the fit between their work environmentand their performance: a holistic, human-centred approach

摘要

This paper reports on a case study that aimed to provide a more holistic understanding of the relationships between people and their work environment. Using grounded theory methodology, the study focused on the experiences of a group of employees as they understood them in relation to their work performance within a nomadic, non-territorial environment. In this paper, these experiences are described and interpreted in relation to the perceived 'fit' between employees and their physical and social work environment highlighting several interdependent human factors understood to impact or have the potential to impact in various ways on sustainable performance. One of the qualities of the study as outlined in the paper is its consideration of psychological and social aspects of the person and their work as ergonomic-related issues in addition to and integrally connected with physical aspects. Central to this quality is the core concept of 'control'. The study found for example that the ability to control one's work space and process is impacted by poor flexibility of furniture and facilities impacting on body support, movement and access. This is exacerbated by insufficient work desk surface area and storage space creating further confusion and added insecurity. On the whole the study compliments and extends previous studies in workplace design in the process producing a new conceptual framework for categorising user experiences described as: the environment (E); the system of operation (Workplace System, WPS); the spatial layout of the office (Spatial Characteristics, SPC); and the artefacts accommodated in and by the environment including furniture, facilities, equipment (ART).