Theories Of Office Layout

Stage 1 Physiological Needs
These include the most basic survival needs such as water, air, foods, sleep, warmth and shelter.
Stage 2 Security Needs
The needs for safety and security include desires for a steady employment (job security), security of health and environment as well as safe neighborhoods.
Stage 3 Social Needs
These needs include friendship, intimacy, affection and love from work group, family, friends and romantic relationships.
Stage 4 Esteem Needs
These needs include confidence, self-esteem, status and respect from others.
Stage 5 Self-Actualizing Needs
These needs include realizing self-potential, seeking personal growth and self-fulfillment.

9.3 How does office layout affect employee’s productivity &

On the other side, for those working in a closed private office, one factor that may lead to dissatisfaction would be the ability to socialize with other co-workers or supervisors as their communication is limited within the four walls of their offices. Hence, all these factors will lead to dissatisfaction and productivity will be affected because according to Maslow (1943), human beings are motivated by certain needs. According to his theory of hierarchal needs, there are five stages that are required to be satisfied before one can gain full satisfaction. This includes the stage of social belonging or needs. Employee should not feel left out in the group or workplace because this dissatisfaction which may lead to a decrease in productivity level. Maslow’s theory had initiated that this stage needs to be fulfilled before employee is able to move up to higher stages that includes self-esteem and self-actualization.
Therefore, office layout can affect employee’s productivity and satisfaction in terms of employee’s personal needs is being met or not. When their need for privacy and social belonging are being fulfilled, their satisfaction level will increase as well as their

This will affect their work performance and productivity.

9.4 Limitations of the study
• Small sample size
The small sample size is not able to determine the objectivity of the research topic. It cannot reflect the whole workforce of Standard Chartered Bank. In addition, at the time when questionnaires were being distributed, most employees were not present at work. This was due to reasons such as being away on leave or on training. Furthermore, unequal number of employees from open plan office and closed private office will greatly distort the data.
• Accuracy of data
There are several reasons that can cause the inaccuracy and objectivity of the data. One of the major reason is due to everyone has their own interpretation of data or information. This interpretation can be changed according to one’s emotions when being questioned at the time. They may be stressed out and annoyed, thus their emotions allow them to make a more bias answer.
Another reason that can cause the result to the inaccurate is the misunderstanding of the questions being asked. Without proper understanding in a question, respondents were not able to answer the question accurately.
• Time