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Environmental satisfaction: more than a hygiene factor

From National Research Council Canada

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Affiliation
  1. National Research Council of Canada. NRC Institute for Research in Construction
FormatText, Article
Conference72nd Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychological Association: 02 June 2011, Toronto, ON
Subjectlighting appraisal; office; positive affect; environmental satisfaction; work performance
Abstract
Frederick Herzberg's (1966) two-factor theory of work motivation relegated environmental factors to the realm of 'hygiene' factors, for which motivation would not improve if conditions improved beyond some minimal level. This presentation will summarize field and laboratory research that counters this dismissal. Our research group and others has used laboratory methods to demonstrate that people prefer a mixture of direct and indirect lighting that lights the entire workspace, and individual personal control over the local lighting. Both mediated regression models and path analysis of experimental data have linked people's appraisal of their workstation lighting with the appearance of the office, their mood, and their satisfaction with the work environment overall; one study found that the improved mood positively predicted work engagement. Field investigations have taken this farther, showing that satisfaction with the lit environment is an indirect positive predictor of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and intent to turnover, and a negative predictor of health problems. These findings are notable because all of the workplace conditions studied is more than merely adequate. Steps taken to improve employees' satisfaction with the working environment do influence their motivation at work, in ways that should benefit both individuals and their employers.
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  • 72nd Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychological Association [Proceedings] (2 June 2011): 1–11.
LanguageEnglish
Peer reviewedYes
NRC numberNRCC 54516
NRC-IRC-21738
NPARC number20374508
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Record identifier7e6090a8-01ed-4702-bc56-f4bdc9f82474
Record created2012-07-23
Record modified2020-07-14
Date modified: