ABSTRACT
Productivity depends on good concentration, technical competence, effective organisation and management, a responsive environment and a good sense of well-being. The economic assessment of environment in terms of both health (medical treatment, hospitalisation) and decreases in productivity (absenteeism) has received very little attention by researchers as yet. However, this assessment is absolutely necessary in order to assess the effectiveness of improved design and management protocols (Barbatano, 1994). Until now there have been no standard procedures to measure productivity, therefore it has been difficult to persuade clients to accept the concept of a relationship between economic productivity benefits and indoor environment. The challenge is to investigate productivity and develop a methodology to assess the link between indoor environment and productivity using scientific principles and the experiences of occupational psychologists.
