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Open Office, Open Communication? Think Again.

8/14/2018

4 Comments

 
Picture
Employees might dislike open office plans, but at least they help employees collaborate and build a sense of teamwork, right? Well, nope. (Tweet it!)

Ethan Bernstein and Stephen Turban, of Harvard Business School and Harvard University, took a look at employees who switched from individual cubicles to an open office plan. What they found wasn't more collaboration after the switch but less (https://bit.ly/2KYeywv).

The participants in the study, whose roles included sales, technology and human resources:
  • spent 73 percent less time in face-to-face interactions
  • spent 67 percent more time on email
  • spent 75 percent more time on instant messenger
Perhaps not surprisingly, people like privacy and speaking one on one. If they aren’t given at least some privacy (cubicles are better than nothing), people will turn to electronic means for private communication.
 
Although it is probably no surprise that employees have expressed negative feelings about open plan offices, both in terms of lost privacy and adverse effects on communication, this is the first study to provide an objective measure of the impact of an open-plan space on how people interact.

“While it is possible to bring chemical substances together under specific conditions of temperature and pressure to form the desired compound, more factors seem to be at work in achieving a similar effect with humans,” the researchers said. “Until we understand those factors, we may be surprised to find a reduction in face-to-face collaboration at work even as we architect transparent, open spaces intended to increase it.


Have you ever worked in an open space office? What was your preferred method of communication with co-workers while you did, and why? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.
 
If you would like to read more about creating a habit around masterful communication, check out our book: Be Quiet, Be Heard: The Paradox of Persuasion

4 Comments
Jim link
8/14/2018 10:00:37 am

I think the missing factor in the open office layout and resulting studies they researched is the company culture, and if it is conducive to this type of environment (open office plan). As an architect, we designed our office with an open office plan, and our staff LOVES it! However, we are also very collaborative in our profession, and lean on others in the office constantly. At the same time, we have a culture more akin to a "family" than to a "business". It is this culture, this scope of work we perform, and this intentional focus on being engaged in the love of our profession as we love the journey of life that makes our open office floor plan very successful.

I encourage any reading this to please consider these factors, as to not eliminate an open office plan but to discern what is most conducive for your office "family". Are you sharing and spreading joy and love of the world?

Reply
Peter
8/14/2018 11:01:05 am

Thanks Jim: We have worked with several open environment companies and share your perception concerning office culture as a key variable as to its efficacy. A game company client in New Zealand is thriving in an open office environment. A medical office in the U.S. not so much. One of the key aspects within the culture of the successful companies seems to be an environment of open communication. Specifically, the ability to raise delicate issues and accept criticism without defensiveness. The greatest challenge seems to be overcoming the human tendency to stuff concerns and its attendant seething discontent. When offices can break through this natural tendency an open office environment can really work. Thanks for sharing this with our community.

Reply
Bobbi L Kamil link
8/14/2018 11:52:14 am

I have a question, rather than a comment. Are there any studies that compare the use of electronic communications in open office settings from say, five years ago vs today? I wonder if the increased use of electronic communications is just so much more pervasive? Does that really relate to satisfaction or dissatification with open environments?

Reply
Peter
8/14/2018 02:49:58 pm

Good questions Bobbi. I don't know of any research in this area but way back in 1970 a famous "futurist" Alvin Toffler in his monumental work "Future Shock" coined the expression "...high tech, high touch..." Meaning, the more we engage in technology the more we need to focus on the human element.

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