Development and Validation of a Multi-Dimensional Measure of Activity-Based Working Behaviors

Abstract

Most work on activity-based working centers on the physical environment and digital technologies enabling flexible working. While important, we believe the key components for implementing activity-based working are employee and manager behaviors. To measure the degree of enactment of activity-based work, based on workshops with experienced practitioners as well as previous literature, we have developed and validated a behavior-focused measure of activity-based working behaviors. In our initial sample (Sample 1, N = 234), three subscales were identified: task – environment crafting, workday planning, and social needs prioritization. In the replication sample (Sample 2, N = 434), this model also showed adequate fit. Moreover, task – environment crafting was related to general health and lower stress in sample 1 (multi-organization sample), but not in the single-organization sample (sample 2). Workday planning was associated with higher concentration in both samples and in the second sample with general health and work engagement; the latter was also related to social needs prioritization.

Changing the Office Design to Activity-Based Flexible Offices: A Longitudinal Study of How Managers’ Leadership Behaviours Are Perceived

“…AFOs are flexible concepts which provide unassigned and shared work areas for different kinds of work. For example, rooms for concentrated work or meetings are often combined with open spaces with different work-zones and lounge areas [ 3 ]. Motives for this concept are that open spaces and flexible use of workstations may increase communication, which is expected to be beneficial for collaboration and performance among employees.…”

“…Motives for this concept are that open spaces and flexible use of workstations may increase communication, which is expected to be beneficial for collaboration and performance among employees. Other motives are that working desks within AFOs can be more efficiently used by all employees, leading to less need of space and reduced costs, as well as the simple adaptation of work areas according to organisational changes [ 3 ]. Although there has been an increase in research regarding the effects of implementing AFOs during recent years, the results are somewhat contradictory.…”