Relationship between Workspace Utilization (WSU) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in Offices of University Lecturers

Abstract

Academic productivity and functional comfort of university lecturers have been subjects of concern to stakeholders in the Nigerian education sector. This study investigates the relationship between Workspace Utilisation (WSU) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in offices of lecturers 111 threc Federal universities,-Objectives include determination of the extent to which lecturers use workspaces, the quality of indoor environment tor assigned acadern ic duties and the level of satisfaction felt by the lecturers. 360 questionnaires were administered, through purposivc sampling, to obtain perception of lecturers on WSU, IEQ and satisfaction with workspace. 169( 4 7) val id return cd questionnaires were analyzed using Means. ANOV A and Spearman correlation. Overall intensity of WSU by the university lecturers was 37.81 .Thcre was no significant difference between intensities of WSU amongst the three universities. Out of the 13 uses, WSU on formal Reading (42. 13), formal Writing, (40.94) and Internet surfing (40.19'Yo) ranked I SI, 2"d and 3'd respectively. Building integrity (5.83), Control facilities (5.47) and Size of work spa cc were the3 top ranking IEQ parameters. Weak positive correlations (0.1567, 0.1729, 0.1816, 0.1909 & 0.2534) were deduced on 6 out of the 91 relationships, between WSU and IEQ, investigated. Overall WSU of 37.81 , compares favourably with fairly good use category of the Space Management Group. Higher intensity could however be achieved through improved IEQ in workspaces. Retrofitting by Works and Maintenance unit of each university is recommended on contextual IEQ variables in order to raise level of comfort, intensity of WSU and academic productivity.