The Effects of Open-Plan Offices on Employee Collaboration: A Rapid Evidence Review

Abstract

This is a rapid evidence review using a realist inquiry approach to identify the effects of open-plan offices on collaboration in North American corporate environments. The rationale for this review is more than 75% of North American offices utilize open-plans, and, thus, need to understand the open-plan office design and its impact on employee collaboration. Theory states open-plan offices remove barriers to communication and fosters collaboration. Research concludes certain contextual attributes of the open-plan office hinder rather than foster collaboration. Through a transparent search and synthesis of literature, the review indicates underlying mechanisms of control and aesthetics and contextual situations of privacy, the ability to personalize space and biophilic design facilitates higher employee satisfaction with the open-plan office and in turn fosters more employee collaboration. A limitation of this review is the sample size of the literature, thus, is it is unknown if the recommendations are applicable to all job categories or functions or if these conclusions would be reached with a full rapid evidence review.