Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
applying building codes and standards. Functional comfort is defined in terms of support
for users' performance in work-related tasks and activities. Psychological comfort is related
to feelings of belonging, ownership and control over workspace. We have expanded the
category of psychological comfort and fit also to cover the social factors, and named the
third category psychosocial comfort and fit.
Fig. 1. Vischer's (2005) model of comfort and fit modified (Hyrkkänen & Nenonen, 2011) for
assessing virtual work places
Vischer's user-centered model (2007) merges environmental aspects with psychological
aspects in a dynamic way. Vischer has developed this abovementioned model for assessing
the fit or misfit of physical workspace. We have tested and developed its applicability for
assessing virtual places (see Hyrkkänen & Nenonen 2011). In this article, the virtual
workplace will be analyzed as a three-level entity that enhances well-being from the point of
view of the mobile employee.
The purpose of this chapter
is to explore what are the elements of the virtual workplace that
either hinder or enable productive mobile virtual work processes and well-being at work.
The script will proceed as follows: first, there will be a broad literature inspection of the
physical, functional and psychosocial elements of comfort and fit which either hinder or
enable productive mobile virtual work. Secondly the method and findings of a preliminary
study called “virtual me” will be presented for enlivening the literature review findings
with vivid up to date data.
