Changes in working life require more flexibility from organizations. One way to create flexibility regarding office use is a new type of office - activity-based offices, so-called AB offices.
What defines an AB office?
What characterizes activity-based offices is that the employees do not have a permanent place, but instead it is the tasks that govern where and how you work in the office.
An activity-based office is usually divided into different zones, such as quiet zone, middle zone and active zone. The employees choose the zone based on what task and needs they currently have.
Just as it sounds, quiet zones are quiet places where you can work with concentration-demanding tasks.
In middle zones, you sit together with colleagues in a similar way as in an open office landscape.
In active zones, people meet for discussions, work in groups or individually, often in café-like environments with sofa groups and larger conference tables.
In addition to the different zones, there are usually meeting rooms, telephone rooms and storage spaces for the employees.
What effects does an AB office have?
Even though many organizations choose to introduce the new office form, there is relatively little research on the implementation process's importance and the effects activity-based offices have on employees. However, it is well known that the physical and psychosocial work environments are greatly important for our health.
The purpose of the research project
The research project examines what supports or hinders the implementation of activity-based offices and how the office affects employees.
More specifically, it examines the effects on participants' health, well-being, productivity, physical activity, and movement patterns.
The project will provide valuable knowledge about the effects of an activity-based office on employees and how best to support the introduction of an activity-based approach.
The results will form part of a theoretical basis for advice and guidelines regarding implementing new office environments. In other words, the project can be of great benefit in practice and for research.
Partners
The research project is a collaboration between GIH and the participating companies:
- ICA Gruppen AB
- NCC
- Previa
- Tenant & Partner
The participants in the project are the employees at ICA's head office, and the research group follows ICA's move to an activity-based office.