Influence of operation mode and anthropometric parameters in self-assessed productivity in office buildings

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the influence of the operation mode and demographic and anthropometric variables on the self-assessed productivity of users of mixed-mode and fully air-conditioned buildings in Florianópolis, southern Brazil. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected using electronic questionnaires made available to users. A total of 1,247 responses were recorded. The influence of the mode of operation on productivity was analysed using histograms. A predictive model was developed by means of linear and quadratic regressions to identify the environmental and demographic/anthropometric parameters influencing productivity. It was observed no influence of hybrid buildings or those with central air-conditioning systems on the perception of productivity. Although the predictive model did not show a good ability to explain users’ performance, it showed statistical correlations between productivity and operative temperature, gender and age. It was concluded that office users’ perception of productivity is affected by the configuration of environments in the humid subtropical climate of Florianópolis.