Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
an employer attempts to avoid huge operating expenses (Axtell el al., 2008). Furthermore,
the perceived problems of spreading tacit knowledge in virtual spaces (Hallford, 2005) can
be seen as a factor of territoriality. The sense of presence is not easy to create.
According to Vischer (2007), privacy is best understood as the need to exercise control over
one's accessibility to others. In virtual spaces and places there are, e.g., problems in
controlling simultaneous co- and telepresence (Brown & O'Hara, 2003; Hallford, 2005;
Green, 2002; Mark & Su, 2010; Tieze & Musson, 2005). In addition, the need for better
privacy mastery is confronted (Axtell et al., 2008; Brown & O'Hara 2003; Breure & van Meel,
2003; Hislop & Axtell, 2009; Mark & Su, 2010; Perry & Brodie, 2006) e.g. when you are
handling confidential things with your ICT tools.
In Vischer's model (2005), environmental control consists of mechanical or instrumental
control, and empowerment. Instrumental control exists, if the employee masters his
furniture, devices and tools. Empowerment as a form of environmental control arises from
participation in the workplace decision making. The reviewed articles highlighted the lack
of control in staying in virtual reality. The stress arose from expectations of continuous
availability (Brown & O'Hara, 2003; Felstead et al., 2005; Hallford, 2005; Green, 2002; Mark
& Su, 2010; Tietze & Musson 2005).
When comparing the factors identified in the reviewed articles to Vischer's psychosocial
factors, the similarities are evident. Ensuring the psychosocial fit of a virtual workplace is
the question of territoriality, privacy and control.
3. Method
In order to reflect the results of the literature review, a small scale empirical survey was
carried out. The experience sampling method (ESM) was used as the research method. ESM
refers to a technique that enables the capturing of people's behaviors, thoughts, or feelings
as they occur in real time (Hektner et al. 2006).
The ESM research process consisted of five stages. In the first stage the design for the research
was made and the diary booklet was designed and tested. In the second stage the subjects
were contacted and the diary booklet was delivered to them. The sample of 20 employees
(users) from different organizations participated. They were instructed to carefully enter all
their actions and places they had been to in a diary booklet. The diary phase focused on what
virtual devices and tools are used and for what purposes. In the third stage, the filled diary
booklets were retrieved and familiarized with and the first interpretations were made. In the
fourth stage, the interviews concerning the themes of fit and misfit in virtual work places were
finalized and carried out with 10 users. The aim of the interview phase was to examine
employees' experiences of fit or misfit concerning physical, functional and psychosocial
features of their virtual workplace. In the fifth and final stage the final interpretation of the
collected material was done with help of AtlasTi-program.
ESM can be seen as an application of a probes method. The probes method is a user-centered
design approach and a qualitative knowledge gathering research tool that is based on user
participation by means of self-documentation (Gaver et al. 1999; Gaver et al. 2004; Boeher et al.
2007; Mattelmäki 2008). The purpose of the method is to understand human phenomena and
find signals of new opportunities by examining users' personal perceptions and background.
