Influence of Spatial Layout on Physical Activity and Face-to-Face Interactions in the Work Environment

Abstract

Lack of enough activity during the day in the workplace has become a serious issue resulting in obesity and health problems. This research explores how interior layout of workspace can affect employees' number of steps and face-to-face- interactions and also investigates whether face-to-face interactions relate to job satisfaction. Twenty one participants were recruited and the data was collected through completing self-report forms to report the number of steps and interactions the participants had daily for ten business days. The data was analyzed using the linear mixed effect models, correlations, ANOVA, and t-tests. The findings support both social ecological model and space syntax theory with positive relationships among distance, depth, the number of steps and interaction, and moderate variables (personal, organizational, and environmental factors). However, there is no significant correlation between interactions and job satisfaction. Since limited studies have been conducted to examine a correlation between movement and interaction in work environments, this research fills the gap of findings from previous literature and makes recommendations for future research.