The influence of personal control and environmental distraction in open-plan offices on creative outcome

Abstract

In this study, the researchers developed and tested a new model of how individual perception about the work environment in open-plan offices (in terms of personal control and environmental distraction) affect creative outcome through environmental satisfaction and social interaction. The partial least squares of structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze data. The respondents were 238 employees working as programmers and designers in creative mobile industries that are supported by or clustered in creative multimedia companies in a multimedia super corridor in Malaysia. The findings showed that personal control over the work environment has a significant effect on individuals’ satisfaction with the work environment, social interaction, and creative outcome. The results also indicated that environmental distraction has no significant effect on creative outcome. Managers, space designers, and architects can use the knowledge of this study to give building users as much control as they need to positively affect their work behavior and outcome.