Person-environment fit:optimizing the physical work environment

Workplace managers’ decisions on office design interventions are still dominated by cost criteria, instead of the positive effects design decisions could have on different employee outcomes (e.g., engagement, productivity, health and wellbeing) and thus on organizational effectiveness. This chapter reviews existing evidence from different academic disciplines for effects of the physical workplace on employees, and relates this to the needs-supply fit aspect of Person-environment fit theory regarding the three basic human needs at work: competence, autonomy and relatedness. Through a discussion of individual choice and control, the authors emphasize that a one-size-fits-all workplace strategy does not exist, as optimal fit depends on personal characteristics, the task at hand, organizational culture and other aspects