Mallawaarachchi, H; De Silva, L and Rameezdeen, R (2016) Indoor environmental quality and occupants' productivity: Suggestions to enhance national green certification criteria. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 6(5), pp. 462-477. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and occupants' productivity improvements in green buildings in order to propose probable enhancements of national green certification criteria. Design/methodology/approach Survey approach was selected under quantitative phenomenon. Hence, questionnaire survey was selected as a primary data collection technique. It was linked to semi-structured interviews to validate survey results. The survey data were analysed by using nonparametric statistical analysis techniques, such as significance testing and Spearman’s correlation. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) v.20 statistical analysis software was used in data analysis. Findings Seven factors were identified as significant factors which showed statistically significant monotonic correlation to major IEQ dimensions. Among those, air quality and acoustical partitioning factors confirmed a statistically significant weak positive monotonic correlation, whilst system control showed strongly positive monotonic correlation to occupants' productivity in green buildings. Practical implications The findings can be practically implied as a basis to review the existing evaluation criteria of IEQ in national green certification system to propose probable enhancements. Originality/value The significant IEQ factors influencing occupants' productivity were determined as the focal point of this research. Accordingly, new provisions were proposed to enhance the national green certification criteria.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | productivity; performance measurement; environment; green building; environmental performance; office buildings |
| Index terms: | dimension, testing, methodology, air quality, social science, questionnaire, green building, indoor environmental quality, productivity, office building, statistical analysis, survey, interview, environmental performance, performance measurement, data analysis, green certification, package |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, professional practice, data science, health monitoring assessment and metrics, construction type, data collection methods, climate science, environmental health, performance measurement, theoretical framing, design practice, sustainability assessment, management, research methods |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Quality Management, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Sustainability, Procurement, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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