How Office Design Influences Workplace Conflict Through Acoustic Factors
As innovators and manufacturers of advanced cloud-based noise monitoring systems powered by artificial intelligence, we are always exploring the ways our technology can solve real workplace challenges. Recent academic research on office noise and workplace conflicts provides compelling evidence for how our AI-driven solutions, like the AS180 Sonisens, can help create more harmonious and productive work environments.
The study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology titled ‘The relationship between office type and workplace conflict: A gender and noise perspective’ (Bodin et al., 2015 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.04.004) examines the relationship between office types, noise, and workplace conflicts. The researchers found that noise had a significant impact on conflicts, particularly for women. However, the office layout itself also played an important role beyond just noise levels.
Key findings that demonstrate the value of noise monitoring systems include:
- Noise disturbances increased workplace conflicts overall, highlighting the need for better noise management.
- Women reported more noise disturbances in open office layouts and showed greater sensitivity to noise in relation to conflicts.
- Even after adjusting for noise, office type still had a significant effect on conflicts for women, suggesting complex acoustical factors at play.
- Large open plan offices, surprisingly, had fewer conflicts despite higher noise levels, indicating nuanced psychoacoustic factors.
Our AI-powered monitoring solutions, including automated noise identification, or ANI, can provide the detailed, real-time acoustic data needed to unpack these complex relationships between office design, noise, and workplace dynamics. Unlike simple decibel measurements, our systems use machine learning to analyse sound patterns, identify disruptive noise sources, and provide actionable insights.
The AS180 Sonisens is an indoor sound level monitor designed to collect and analyse sound level readings in any application. Its accuracy to IEC 61672 Class 1 makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from workplace noise exposure to smart building acoustics. The monitor can measure LEQ, L05, L10, L50, L90, L95, and LMAX, providing a comprehensive understanding of the sound level in your space.
With our industry-leading technology, companies can:
- Pinpoint specific noise issues in different office zones
- Track how noise patterns correlate with conflict incidents over time
- Recommend targeted acoustic treatments based on AI analysis
- Send automatic alerts when noise reaches disruptive levels
- Generate reports to guide data-driven office design decisions
The gender differences found in noise sensitivity also demonstrate the need for personalised soundscape solutions, including personalised soundscapes for individual preferences, allowing users to set their own noise thresholds and receive tailored recommendations.
The AS180 Sonisens offers flexible logging times from 1 to 30 minutes and has a large memory for long-term data storage. Its Wi-Fi and Ethernet connection options, along with an optional 4G modem, allow for easy integration into your network. The monitor can automatically upload data to a secure cloud-hosted analysis system, providing real-time insights into your sound environment.
By providing this level of acoustic intelligence, our monitoring technology empowers companies to optimise their work environments, boost employee satisfaction, and ultimately reduce costly workplace conflicts. As offices evolve to meet new hybrid work models, Sonitus Systems’ AI-driven insights will be more valuable than ever in creating productive spaces that work for everyone.
Whether you are assessing workplace noise exposure on the factory floor, understanding patient recuperation in a hospital ward, or monitoring office acoustics, the AS180 Sonisens can help you capture the information you need to maintain a healthy and safe workplace environment. Contact the experts at Sonitus Systems to discuss acoustic monitoring for your workplace and take the first step towards a more harmonious and productive work environment.
Sonitus Systems offers both the hardware and software for a range of environmental parameters on a continual basis, with real-time information available through our Sonitus Cloud dashboard. For more details on our indoor and outdoor noise and air quality monitoring products and services, please contact the team at https://www.sonitussystems.com/contact-us