Investigating the Role of Indoor Environmental Quality in Job Satisfaction and Productivity: A Case Study from Ankara, Türkiye

Abstract

This research examines Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) factors—visual comfort, thermal comfort, and acoustic comfort—and their effects on office employees' job satisfaction and productivity, guided by the Person-Environment Fit (PE-Fit) theory. An online survey of 380 office employees in Ankara, Türkiye, analyzed by correlation and regression (IBM SPSS), indicated visual (β=0.42, p<0.01) and thermal comfort (β=0.38, p<0.01) as the main predictors of both. Conversely, acoustic comfort was shown to have minimal impacts (β=0.12, p>0.05). Professional maturity moderated acoustic adaptation, with higher correlations for experienced employees. These findings align with the core principle of the needs–supplies and demands–abilities fit models within the PE-Fit theory. The finding of visual and thermal comfort aligns with the core principle of the needs–supplies fit model. On the other hand, the acoustic comfort findings correspond with the demands-abilities fit model. Based on these outcomes, the study offers two key contributions: (1) it contributes to the PE-Fit theory by quantifying how different IEQ components—visual, thermal, and acoustic comfort—interactively influence workplace fit through a novel hierarchical approach, which has been absent in prior single-factor studies; and (2) it recognizes professional maturity (age/experience) as a moderator of acoustic adaptation, thereby advancing knowledge on demands-abilities fit. These results guide organizations to invest in cost-reduction workspace upgrades that align employees' needs with environmental parameters. Future studies are urged to study task-specific IEQ demands and longitudinal adaptation effects.

Keywords

• Indoor environmental quality
• PE-Fit theory
• Job satisfaction
• Productivity
• Quantitative analysis

References

1. [1] Rasheed, E.O. and Byrd, H., "Can self-evaluation measure the effect of IEQ on productivity? A review of literature", Facilities, 35(11/12): 601-621, (2017). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/F-08-2016-0087
2. [2] Tiele, A., Esfahani, S. and Covington, J., "Design and Development of a Low‐Cost, Portable Monitoring Device for Indoor Environment Quality", Journal of Sensors, 2018(1): 5353816, (2018). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5353816
3. [3] Pollard, B., Engelen, L., Held, F., Van Buskirk, J., Spinney, R. and de Dear, R., "Associations between spatial attributes, IEQ exposures and occupant movement behaviour in an open-plan office", Building and Environment, 212: 108812, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.108812
4. [4] Edwards, J.R., Caplan, R.D. and Van Harrison, R., Person-environment fit theory: Conceptual foundations, empirical evidence, and directions for future research, in Theories of Organizational Stress, ed. C.L. Cooper, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 28–67, (1998).
5. [5] Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Physical Hazards. Online. https://www.ccohs.ca/topics/hazards/physical, (2024).
6. [6] Bluyssen, P.M., Janssen, S., van den Brink, L.H. and de Kluizenaar, Y., "Assessment of wellbeing in an indoor office environment", Building and Environment, 46(12): 2632-2640, (2011). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2011.06.026
7. [7] Felgueiras, F., Mourão, Z., Moreira, A. and Gabriel, M.F., "Indoor environmental quality in offices and risk of health and productivity complaints at work: A literature review", Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 10, 100314, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2023.100314
8. [8] Abdulaali, H.S., Usman, I., Hanafiah, M., Abdulhasan, M., Hamzah, M. and Nazal, A., "Impact of poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) to inhabitants’ health, wellbeing and satisfaction", International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 29(3): 1-14, (2020).

9. [9] Elnaklah, R., Fosas, D. and Natarajan, S., "Indoor environment quality and work performance in ‘green’ office buildings in the Middle East", Building Simulation, 13: 1043-1062, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-020-0695-1
10. [10] Franke, M. and Nadler, C., "Towards a holistic approach for assessing the impact of IEQ on satisfaction, health, and productivity", Building Research & Information, 49(4): 417-444, (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2020.1788917
11. [11] Lan, L., Wargocki, P. and Lian, Z., "Thermal effects on human performance in office environment measured by integrating task speed and accuracy", Applied Ergonomics, 45(3): 490-495, (2014). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2013.06.010
12. [12] Liu, F., Chang-Richards, A., Wang, K.I.K. and Dirks, K.N., "Critical indoor environmental factors affecting productivity: perspectives from university staff and postgraduate students", Building Research & Information, 51(6): 730-745, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2023.2204413
13. [13] Sadick, A.M., Kpamma, Z.E. and Agyefi-Mensah, S., "Impact of indoor environmental quality on job satisfaction and self-reported productivity of university employees in a tropical African climate", Building and Environment, 181, 107102, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107102
14. [14] Shan, X., Melina, A.N. and Yang, E.H., "Impact of indoor environmental quality on students' wellbeing and performance in educational building through life cycle costing perspective", Journal of Cleaner Production, 204: 298-309, (2018). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.09.002
15. [15] Wu, J., Hou, Z., Shen, J. and Lian, Z., "Quantitative effect on work performance considering interactions among multiple indoor environmental factors", Building and Environment, 185, 107286, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107286
16. [16] Wu, Y., Liu, Z. and Kong, Z., "Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupant Comfort", Buildings, 13(6), 1400, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13061400
17. [17] Al Horr, Y., Arif, M., Kaushik, A., Mazroei, A., Katafygiotou, M. and Elsarrag, E., "Occupant productivity and office indoor environment quality: A review of the literature", Building and Environment, 105: 369-389, (2016). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.06.001
18. [18] Sun, G., Qian, W., Jiao, J., Han, T., Shi, Y., Hu, X.Y. and Wang, L., "A highly efficient artificial light-harvesting system with two-step sequential energy transfer based on supramolecular self-assembly", Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 8(19): 9590-9596, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D0TA03169K
19. [19] Van Bommel, W.J.M. and Van den Beld, G.J., "Lighting for work: a review of visual and biological effects", Lighting Research & Technology, 36(4): 255-266, (2004). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1365782804li122oa
20. [20] Mujan, I., Anđelković, A.S., Munćan, V., Kljajić, M. and Ružić, D., "Influence of indoor environmental quality on human health and productivity-A review", Journal of Cleaner Production, 217: 646-657, (2019). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.307
21. [21] De Croon, E., Sluiter, J., Kuijer, P.P. and Frings-Dresen, M., "The effect of office concepts on worker health and performance: a systematic review of the literature", Ergonomics, 48(2): 119-134, (2005). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130512331319409
22. [22] Kaarlela-Tuomaala, A., Helenius, R., Keskinen, E. and Hongisto, V., "Effects of acoustic environment on work in private office rooms and open-plan offices–longitudinal study during relocation", Ergonomics, 52(11): 1423-1444, (2009). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130903154579
23. [23] Carlucci, S., Bai, L., de Dear, R. and Yang, L., "Review of adaptive thermal comfort models in built environmental regulatory documents", Building and Environment, 137: 73-89, (2018). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.03.053
24. [24] Nasrollahi, N., Knight, I. and Jones, P., "Workplace satisfaction and thermal comfort in air conditioned office buildings: Findings from a summer survey and field experiments in Iran", Indoor and Built Environment, 17(1): 69-79, (2008). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X07086945
25. [25] Pourkiaei, M. and Romain, A.C., "Scoping review of indoor air quality indexes: Characterization and applications", Journal of Building Engineering, 75, 106703, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106703
26. [26] Babaoglu, U.T., Milletli Sezgin, F. and Yag, F., "Sick building symptoms among hospital workers associated with indoor air quality and personal factors", Indoor and Built Environment, 29(5): 645-655, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X19855117
27. [27] Kumari, N. and Rachna, M., "Job Satisfaction of the Employees at the Workplace", European Journal of Business and Management, 3(4): 11-30, (2011). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/ajbm10.1229
28. [28] Mura, A.L., Nonnis, M., Scrima, F. and Fornara, F., "Promoting the work engagement of the health worker: The role of secure workplace attachment, perceived spatial-physical comfort, and relationship with patients", Journal of Environmental Psychology, 85, 101937, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101937
29. [29] Raziq, A. and Maulabakhsh, R., "Impact of working environment on job satisfaction", Procedia Economics and Finance, 23: 717-725, (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s2212-5671(15)00524-9
30. [30] Fisk, W.J., "Health and productivity gains from better indoor environments and their relationship with building energy efficiency", Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, 25(1): 537-566, (2000). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.25.1.537
31. [31] Geng, Y., Ji, W., Lin, B. and Zhu, Y., "The impact of thermal environment on occupant IEQ perception and productivity", Building and Environment, 121: 158-167, (2017). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.05.022
32. [32] Kaushik, A., Arif, M., Ebohon, O.J., Arsalan, H., Rana, M.Q. and Obi, L., "Effect of indoor environmental quality on visual comfort and productivity in office buildings", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 21(6): 1746-1766, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/jedt-09-2021-0474
33. [33] Kahaki, Z.R., Jahangiri, H., Smith, A. and Kazemi, R., "Subjective and objective survey of office lighting: effects on alertness, comfort, satisfaction, and safety", La Medicina del lavoro, 113(3), (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.23749/mdl.v113i3.12371
34. [34] Gou, Z., Lau, S.S.Y. and Ye, H., "Visual alliesthesia: The gap between comfortable and stimulating illuminance settings", Building and Environment, 82: 42-49, (2014). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.08.001
35. [35] Li, D.H. and Tsang, E.K., "An analysis of daylighting performance for office buildings in Hong Kong", Building and Environment, 43(9): 1446-1458, (2008). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2007.07.002
36. [36] Kristof-Brown, A. L., Zimmerman, R. D. and Johnson, E. C., “Consequences of individuals' fit at work: A meta-analysis of person-job, person-organization, person-group, and person-supervisor fit”, Personnel Psychology, 58(2): 281-342, (2005). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2005.00672.x
37. [37] Edwards, J.R. and Shipp, A.J., The relationship between person-environment fit and outcomes: An integrative theoretical framework, in Perspectives on Organizational Fit, eds. C. Ostroff and T.A. Judge, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 209–258, (2007).
38. [38] Candido, C., Marzban, S., Haddad, S., Mackey, M. and Loder, A., "Designing healthy workspaces: results from Australian certified open-plan offices", Facilities, 39(5/6): 411-433, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/f-02-2020-0018
39. [39] Berndt, A.E., "Sampling methods", Journal of Human Lactation, 36(2): 224-226, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334420906850
40. [40] Aboulfotouh, A.K., Tolba, O. and Ezzeldin, S., "The impact of workspace location and indoor environmental quality on employees' satisfaction within office buildings: A case study in Cairo", Indoor and Built Environment, 31(8): 2094-2114, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326x20944561
41. [41] Hwang, T. and Kim, J.T., "Assessment of indoor environmental quality in open-plan offices", Indoor and Built Environment, 22(1): 139-156, (2013). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326x12470280
42. [42] Newsham, G., Brand, J., Donnelly, C., Veitch, J., Aries, M. and Charles, K., "Linking indoor environment conditions to job satisfaction: a field study", Building Research & Information, 37(2): 129-147, (2009). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09613210802710298
43. [43] Cochran, W. G., Sampling Techniques 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, (1977).
44. [44] Jiang, R., "A novel risk metric for staff turnover in a software project based on information entropy", Entropy, 17(5): 2834-2852, (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/e17052834
45. [45] Van Saane, N., Sluiter, J.K., Verbeek, J.H.A.M. and Frings-Dresen, M.H., "Reliability and validity of instruments measuring job satisfaction—a systematic review", Occupational Medicine, 53(3): 191-200, (2003). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqg038
46. [46] Koopmans, L. A. M. B. E. R. T., Individual work performance questionnaire instruction manual, TNO Innovation for Life–VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, NL, (2015).
47. [47] Hertzog, M.A., "Considerations in determining sample size for pilot studies", Research in Nursing & Health, 31(2): 180-191, (2008). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.20247
48. [48] Tavakol, M. and Dennick, R., "Making sense of Cronbach's alpha", International Journal of Medical Education, 2: 53–55, (2011). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd
49. [49] Reinhart, C. F., “Effects of interior design on the daylight availability in open plan offices”, Proceedings of the 2002 American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Asilomar, Pacific Grove, CA, USA, 309-322, (2002).
50. [50] Rezaei, F., Sangin, H., Heiranipour, M. and Attia, S., “Multi-objective Optimization of Window and Light Shelf Design in Office Buildings to Improve Occupants’ Thermal and Visual Comfort”, Journal of Daylighting, 11, (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.15627/jd.2024.4
51. [51] Yang, I. H. and Nam, E. J., “Economic analysis of the daylight-linked lighting control system in office buildings”, Solar Energy, 84(8): 1513-1525, (2010). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2010.05.014
52. [52] Fissore, V. I., Fasano, S., Puglisi, G. E., Shtrepi, L. and Astolfi, A., “Indoor environmental quality and comfort in offices: a review”, Buildings, 13(10), 2490, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102490
53. [53] Zhang, X., Du, J. and Chow, D., “Association between perceived indoor environmental characteristics and occupants' mental well-being, cognitive performance, productivity, satisfaction in workplaces: A systematic review”, Building and Environment, 110985, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110985
54. [54] Marigo, M., Carnieletto, L., Moro, C., Arcelli, T., Ciloni, C., Turchi, G. P., De Carli, M. and Di Bella, A., “Thermal comfort and productivity in a workplace: An alternative approach evaluating productivity management inside a test room using textual analysis”, Building and Environment, 245, 110836, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110836
55. [55] Khadka, S., Shrestha, M. and Rijal, H. B., “Investigation of the thermal comfort and productivity in Japanese mixed-mode office buildings”, The Journal of Engineering Research [TJER], 19(1): 63-72, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.53540/tjer.vol19iss1pp63-72
56. [56] Kükrer, E. and Eskin, N., “Effect of design and operational strategies on thermal comfort and productivity in a multipurpose school building”, Journal of Building Engineering, 44, 102697, (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102697
57. [57] Gnecco, V. M., Pigliautile, I. and Pisello, A. L., “Exploring office comfort and productivity in living labs: A yearlong structural equation modeling study”, Building and Environment, 250, 111147, (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.111147