The Effect of the Physical Office Environment on Employee Productivity: The Case of Some Selected Banks in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana.

Abstract

Improved physical office environment is a widely acceptable and the best means of providing an enabling environment that best facilitates employees’ performance and general productivity. Six dimensions of the physical office environment were used in this study like furniture, noise, temperature, lighting, colour and spatial arrangements. The major purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the physical office environment and employees’ productivity. The study is a qualitative survey in nature. Data was collected from the employees of some selected banks in the Takoradi Metropolis. The study was based on a sample of 60 staff randomly drawn from various departments of the banks. Data for the study obtained mainly from the administration of questionnaires was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The research identified considerable physical office environment deficiencies which have adverse effect on performance. Results showed that elements of the physical office environment have both positive and negative association with employees’ productivity. The study then recommends that all elements of the physical office environment should be improved towards employee efficiency and productivity except the office temperature which was unanimously agreed to be conducive for the work environment.