Tagebuchstudie zu Activity-Based Flexible Offices

Abstract

Digitization and globalization require greater flexibility from companies, which in turn affects the conceptualization and design of their offices. Activity-based flexible offices have been recently evolving, which are characterized by an open and flexible arrangement of different workspaces, most of which are located in open spaces without intermediate walls and without assigned workplaces. These workspaces are designed to enable exchange, but also to provide places for withdrawal, such as concentration cells. We conducted a web-based diary study in three international companies and examined the joint influence of task-related concentration requirements and the workplace on perceived task-environment fit and psychological well-being. The results revealed that open workspaces are perceived as less suitable for tasks that demand great concentration, though this does not apply to the home office. Furthermore, task-environment fit was associated with psychological well-being. In summary, the concept of activity-based flexible offices should be interpreted holistically and serve to provide places of retreat both inside and outside the company.