Sources of Variance in Employee Perceptions of Occupancy Quality

Abstract

This study addresses the goal of an integrative approach to evaluating the effects on work of environmental design. Results are based on pre-occupancy evaluations of 2 different office workplaces, with many parallels in occupancy design. Methods entailed: (1) measurement of noise, lighting, and thermal conditions at selected work stations; and (2) administration of an occupancy quality perceptual response survey questionnaire. A 2-step, least-squares (2SLS) multiple regression method was used for sources of variance analysis of responses to occupancy quality items on the questionnaire. The major result is that observed variance in major indicators of occupancy quality is not explained by responses to the same questionnaire items for the 2 sites. The findings support the conclusion that, across different occupancy design settings, observed variability in work behavior is not likely attributable to a universal set of design factors.

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