Abstract
The importance of designing effective structures of office workplaces is becoming a fundamental task in Facility Management. If the office design does not respond to the needs of the user, the workforce will never be as affective if it could be; the consequence is a loss of money for the company. At the moment there is a huge need for research in this field because many enterprises are forced to occupy to new structures and designs but still use old fashioned ways of working.
An office that is not adjustable to the individual needs of the worker causes dissatisfaction and less efficiency. If the workplace does not support the user by providing the appropriate environment and equipment, the workplace will hinder the employee instead of motivating him. As the influence of the effect of the office on the employees is still underestimated, the rethinking of the old structures forms the center of this work, as well as becoming aware of the coherencies between office features and the satisfaction of the user. The third chapter examines the psychological impacts of office design, such as human behavior and stress, besides the psychological, positive effect of ergonomic interior is mentioned.
How can the performance of the employee be motivated is the important question. If the employee feels able to meet his or her own decisions and bears more responsibility in the specific scope of duties the work environment becomes more relaxed and productive in general.
Often side effects like face-to-face internal communication are getting neglected and underestimated although they could be reached by improving the office shapes or utilizing Space Management. The crucial effect of such factors on business performance holds a lot of potential for improvement. With the corresponding furniture and equipment new styles of working become leading in the future, the old fashioned office types and types of working are getting replaced. Facility Management has the vital function to support this change in attitude towards work and make working more flexible by finding solutions in occupancy of space or office shape designs.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Motivation
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Research Question
1.4 Aim
1.5 Approach
2 NEW WAYS OF WORKING
2.1 The development of the new office
2.2 Old and new office cultures
2.3 The office as communication center
2.3.1 Informal communication
2.3.2 Formal communication
2.4 Design styles of offices
2.4.1 The Hive
2.4.2 The Den
2.4.3 The Cell
2.4.4 The Club
2.4.5 The combination office
2.5 Patterns of work
2.5.1 Desk Sharing
2.5.2 Tele Working
2.6 Furniture for new working styles
3 THE IMPACT OF OFFICE DESIGN
3.1 Psychological behavior effected by the office setting
3.2 Human response to stress
3.1 Matching the work setting to the individual
3.2 Ergonomics
4 MANAGING THE FACILITIES
4.1 Better occupancy of space
4.2 Office shape
5 CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
This work aims to explore the critical relationship between modern office design, employee satisfaction, and workplace productivity. It examines how traditional office structures, which often hinder employee motivation, can be transitioned into flexible environments that support new ways of working, such as desk sharing and teleworking, through effective Facility Management strategies.
- The evolution of office cultures and the shift from traditional to flexible work environments.
- The psychological impact of office design on human behavior, stress levels, and performance.
- The role of ergonomic standards in improving employee well-being and productivity.
- Strategies for Facility Management to optimize space occupancy and office shapes to foster better internal communication.
Excerpt from the Book
2.4.1 The Hive
This office type is characterized by individual routine process work with a low level of interaction and autonomy. The style of the workstation is very simple with rigid layouts for working for a long period of time. Floor spaces of 500 to 1000 m² are common; often some hundred people are working together in one story. Examples of this work pattern are telesales and call handling centers. In general there are very short ways to go and the used space is very efficient.
Summary of Chapters
1 INTRODUCTION: Discusses the motivation, problem statement, and research question, highlighting the need to rethink traditional office structures for better employee motivation.
2 NEW WAYS OF WORKING: Details the historical development of offices and introduces various design styles, working patterns, and furniture concepts that reflect modern, flexible requirements.
3 THE IMPACT OF OFFICE DESIGN: Analyzes the psychological effects of the office environment, including stress factors and the necessity of ergonomic adjustments to support individual needs.
4 MANAGING THE FACILITIES: Explores how Facility Management can optimize space efficiency and office shapes to adapt to changing organizational goals and work styles.
5 CONCLUSION: Summarizes the importance of continuous monitoring of office environments to ensure they successfully meet the evolving needs of both the organization and the individual.
Keywords
Facility Management, Office Design, Work Styles, Employee Productivity, Workplace Ergonomics, Desk Sharing, Tele Working, Office Culture, Space Optimization, Psychological Impact, Organizational Behavior, Communication, Flexibility, Employee Motivation, Office Layout
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
This work focuses on the necessity of rethinking traditional office structures to align them with the needs of modern employees, thereby enhancing productivity and satisfaction.
What are the core themes addressed in this paper?
Key themes include the evolution of workplace design, the psychological effects of office environments, the importance of ergonomic standards, and the role of Facility Management in optimizing these spaces.
What is the main research question?
The research asks: "What are the new developments in office design and how can they be implemented?"
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The research is based on a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, existing industry statistics, and employee surveys to evaluate workplace performance and design trends.
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers the development of new office cultures, design styles like the Hive or the Cell, ergonomic requirements, and strategies for managing facility space.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Significant keywords include Facility Management, Office Design, Desk Sharing, Tele Working, Ergonomics, and Organizational Behavior.
How does the author define the "Hive" office type?
The "Hive" is defined as a space characterized by individual routine work, low autonomy, low interaction, and highly efficient use of floor space.
Why is ergonomic design considered vital?
Ergonomics is vital because it minimizes operator fatigue and injury, which in turn leads to higher employee satisfaction and an excellent return on investment for the company.
- Quote paper
- Martina Müller (Author), 2007, The New Office , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/89977
