Simultaneous effects of irrelevant speech, temperature and ventilation rate on performance and satisfaction in open-plan offices
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate how irrelevant speech, temperature and ventilation rate together affect cognitive performance and environmental satisfaction in open-plan offices. In Condition A, neutral temperature (23.5 °C), low intelligibility of speech (high absorption and low masking sound level) and high fresh air supply rate (30 l/s per person) were applied. This was contrasted to Condition B with high room temperature (29.5 °C), highly intelligible speech (low absorption and high masking sound level) and a negligible fresh air supply rate (2 l/s per person). Sixty-five participants were tested. In Condition B, performance decrement was observed especially in working memory tasks. Based on subjective assessments, mental workload, cognitive fatigue and symptoms were higher and environmental satisfaction was lower in Condition B. It was concluded that special attention should be paid to the design of whole indoor environment in open-plan offices to increase subjective comfort and improve performance.
Institutions: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, University of Turku
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,380
Funder: Tekes
OpenAlex ID: W1165614738