Kaushik, A; Arif, M; Ebohon, O J; Arsalan, H; Rana, M Q and Obi, L (2023) Effect of indoor environmental quality on visual comfort and productivity in office buildings. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 21(6), pp. 1746-1766. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: The Purpose of this paper is to identify statistical relationships between visual environment and occupant productivity. Visual environment is one of the most important indoor environmental quality (IEQ) parameters, and it directly impacts occupant productivity in offices. The literature outlines the significance of the impact. Still, there is a lack of investigation, statistical analysis and inter-relationships between the independent variables (IEQ factors), especially in the hot and arid climate. Design/methodology/approach: This study presents a research study investigating the effects and shows statistical relationships between IEQ on occupant comfort and productivity. The study was conducted in the Middle East, and data was collected for 12 months. It used the response surface analysis to perform analysis. Findings: This study outlined seven unique relationships highlighting the recommended range, inter-dependencies. Results include that illumination has maximum effect on visual comfort and temperature, daylight having direct influence and relative humidity, wall type next to the seat and kind of workspace also impact visual comfort and productivity. These findings would help to improve occupant comfort and productivity in office buildings. It is recommended to include results and recommendations on design guidelines for office buildings. Originality/value: This study presents the unique effects of non-visual IEQ parameters on visual comfort and productivity. This investigation also provides a unique method to develop the statistical relationship between various indoor environmental factors and productivity in different contexts and buildings.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | indoor environmental quality; occupant productivity; office building; response surface analysis; visual comfort |
| Index terms: | office building, statistical analysis, workspace, independent variable, productivity, investigation, comfort, indoor environmental quality, visual comfort, Middle East, methodology, relative humidity, environmental factor |
| Subjects: | occupational health and safety management, environmental health, statistical analysis, environmental engineering, research methods, management, physical geography and landforms, data science, environmental science, air quality, data collection methods, construction type |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Construction Technology, Stakeholder Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here