Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the conditions of a work environment that were related to job dissatisfaction among software personnel. A representative sample of 120 software employees were administered a questionnaire (including a Task Analysis Form and a Semantic Differential Scale) to determine the office conditions that were causing employee dissatisfaction. Each participant was also interviewed for approximately one hour.
Four major problem areas were identified. They were: (1) Lack of visual and audible privacy; (2) Poor aesthetics; (3) Insufficient storage facilities, and (4) Improper design of work desk area. Design recommendations were developed by Interior Designers, Human Factor Specialists and Architects. Prototype offices were installed to accommodate a full department of forty-one software employees. The daily tasks of the participants continued on a normal routine for an evaluation period of seven months. At the end of this time, all participants were interviewed and the responses from these interviews were compared to those of the old offices. Statistical differences were found in all areas, and levels of job satisfaction greatly improved. The results are reported and conclusions are made concerning work-space planning, job satisfaction and productivity levels.
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