Fauzan Alfi

Why can we work more productively in other places instead of our offices or workspaces?

TL;DR:

Working outside traditional offices boosts productivity due to fewer distractions, customizable workspaces, reduced commute stress, enhanced focus, improved work-life balance, and the benefits of natural environments. Flexible environments cater to individual needs, fostering higher job satisfaction and creativity compared to rigid office settings.

Here are the full explanations I found through several semantic search providers:

Perplexity

Why We Can Be More Productive Outside Our Offices

Working outside traditional office environments can often lead to increased productivity for several reasons. These include fewer distractions, a more flexible and comfortable work environment, and the ability to tailor workspaces to individual needs. Below are the key factors that contribute to this phenomenon:

1. Fewer Distractions

Offices are rife with distractions that can significantly hamper productivity:

2. Flexible Work Environment

Remote work offers a level of flexibility that traditional offices often cannot match:

3. Reduced Commute Stress

Commuting can be a significant source of stress and time loss:

4. Enhanced Focus and Output

Working from home or other remote locations can lead to better focus and higher output:

5. Improved Work-Life Balance

Remote work can contribute to a better work-life balance, which in turn can enhance productivity:

6. Nature and Outdoor Work

Working outside or in nature can also boost productivity:

Conclusion

The traditional office environment, with its numerous distractions and rigid structure, often hampers productivity. In contrast, remote work environments offer flexibility, comfort, and fewer interruptions, leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction. By understanding and leveraging these benefits, both employees and employers can create more effective and fulfilling work experiences.

Citations:

  1. https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/benefits-of-remote-work/
  2. https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-reasons-why-you-should-take-your-work-outside-plus-how-to-realistically-do-it
  3. https://meramonitor.com/distractions-in-the-workplace/
  4. https://www.lifehack.org/802571/distractions-at-work
  5. https://www.currentware.com/blog/remote-work-vs-office-productivity/
  6. https://tldv.io/blog/office-vs-remote-work-productivity-analysis/
  7. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/benefits-of-working-remotely
  8. https://stackoverflow.blog/2023/11/27/are-remote-workers-more-productive-that-s-the-wrong-question/
  9. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/remote-work-vs-in-office-ongoing-productivity-paradox-joe-folkman
  10. https://www.apollotechnical.com/working-from-home-productivity-statistics/
  11. https://www.forbes.com/sites/glebtsipursky/2022/11/03/workers-are-less-productive-working-remotely-at-least-thats-what-their-bosses-think/

SciSpace

Working more productively in places other than traditional offices or workspaces can be attributed to several factors, including environmental stimuli, flexibility, and personal choice. Third places like coffee shops offer a stimulating and social environment with moderate ambient noise levels that can enhance creative thinking and problem-solving abilities, although irrelevant speech noise (ISN) can be a distraction, which can be mitigated by using devices that generate white noise to maintain work quality [1]. The shift towards new working spaces such as coworking spaces, makerspaces, and fab labs reflects a broader change in the digital economy, promoting a more fluid way of working based on projects, networks, and collaborations, which can enhance economic viability, liveability, and competitiveness [2]. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of multi-locational work, showing positive associations with worker engagement, creativity, and well-being, particularly when workers can choose their work locations based on the features of each place [3]. Work-from-anywhere (WFA) programs provide both temporal and geographic flexibility, allowing workers to live in their preferred locations, which has been shown to increase productivity by 4.4 percent without affecting the incidence of rework, as observed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) [4]. Additionally, the shift towards a knowledge-based economy emphasizes the importance of knowledge workers' productivity and well-being, which can be significantly influenced by the physical and psychosocial aspects of the workspace. Personal choice over the space and time of work has been associated with higher levels of well-being, although the impact on cognitive learning remains less clear [5]. These findings collectively suggest that the flexibility and environmental variety offered by alternative workspaces can lead to enhanced productivity and well-being compared to traditional office settings.

Scite.ai

Productivity in work environments is influenced by various factors such as emotional intelligence, work stress, work motivation, and the overall work environment (Rivai et al., 2019; Nugraha, 2024; Indraswari & Martono, 2020; Putra & Mujiati, 2022). Studies have shown that creating a comfortable and optimal work environment can significantly enhance productivity (Niemelä et al., 2002; Kaushik et al., 2020; Masharyono et al., 2016). An improved work environment with better thermal conditions, lighting, and reduced contaminants has been linked to increased productivity (Niemelä et al., 2002). Additionally, a healthy work environment not only boosts productivity but also reduces costs associated with absenteeism and turnover (Haidari, 2023; Mj et al., 2017).

The impact of the work environment on productivity is further emphasized by the significance of organizational culture, employee motivation, and adaptive behavior (Nugraha, 2024; Indraswari & Martono, 2020; Putra & Mujiati, 2022). Providing a safe, comfortable, and motivating atmosphere for employees can lead to higher productivity levels (Putra & Mujiati, 2022; Yanti & Sari, 2022). Moreover, the physical layout and design of the workplace play a crucial role in influencing knowledge work performance and productivity (Franssila & Kirjonen, 2022; Laihonen et al., 2012; Dul & Ceylan, 2014). Factors such as workplace incivility can negatively affect the work environment and subsequently impact productivity (Lewis & Malecha, 2011).

Overall, a conducive work environment that promotes employee satisfaction, motivation, and well-being is essential for enhancing productivity levels (Nugraha, 2024; Putra & Mujiati, 2022; Yanti & Sari, 2022). By focusing on creating a supportive and healthy work environment, organizations can not only improve productivity but also foster employee loyalty and satisfaction (Usniarti, 2024). Therefore, investing in optimizing the work environment can yield significant benefits in terms of employee performance and overall organizational productivity.

References:

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