Desk ownership in the workplace: The effect of non-territorial working on employee workplace satisfaction, perceived productivity and health

Publication date: July 2016
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 103
Author(s): Jungsoo Kim, Christhina Candido, Leena Thomas, Richard de Dear
The concept of non-territorial workplace has been adopted by a growing number of organisations. It is clear that the main driver for desk sharing practices is the tangible economic benefits guaranteed by reducing the amount of office space per person. However, the question of whether or not occupant comfort or productivity are compromised in the pursuit of space efficiency has never been investigated. This paper draws on a database from Australian building occupant survey to investigate how desk arrangements (whether or not one has a pre-allocated desk) can affect occupant satisfaction, self-reported productivity or health at workplaces. Our statistical model indicates a fall in occupant self-assessed productivity as spatial factors (such as the office layout allowing easiness of interaction with colleagues, the ability to adjust/personalise workspace, and the amount of storage space provided) perform below occupant expectations. Analysis of the results also show that the association of spatial factors with occupants' self-assessed productivity (quantified by odds ratios) was more pronounced among those in non-territorial workplaces, compared to those who are assigned with a pre-allocated desk. With respect to self-assessed health, the comfort of furnishing was identified as the strongest predictor for shared-desk users. Our findings suggest that these spatial factors, rather than the desk ownership itself, play a more significant role in the non-territorial work arrangement, affecting occupant attitude towards their building.