EFFECT OF PHYSICAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

1.1  Background To The Study

The growing concern of modern firms lies in the attainment of Organizational performance. Organizational performances constitute the actual results achieved by a firm when compared to its original aims and objectives. Most firms focus their organizational performance objective on specific results as product performance, financial performance and shareholder returns. Richard et al. (2009).However, the attainment of these specific aims and objective is critically influenced by the physical working environment in which the organizational personnel operates or carry out their daily functions. Consequently, in view of the rapid development in the business environment which has led to modernization, and technological advancement in all sphere of economic and social activities, it is no longer visible to achieve organizational performance without giving consideration to the environment in which the employees operate in executing the fundamental duties of the organization. Therefore the performance of the worker are affected by the working environment. This implies that a well working physical environment facilitates the attainment of high employee productivity and thereby resulting in high organizational performance. The physical environment consists of tangible and intangible factors existing in the physical location where the worker operates to execute the fundamental duties of the organization. This includes tangible workplace offices or location, working conditions as good ventilation, airconditioning, safety and security, good office layout, technological facility as internet system, telephone, office equipment, workplace policies and procedures, design and construction of the workplace, etc.

A good number of studies involving employee physical work environment indicates that there is a relationship between physical work environment and employee  job satisfaction and productivity . This implies that physical work environment contribute positively to workers' performance and organizational productivity such work conditions as  lighting, ventilation rates, access to natural light and acoustic environment (Humphries, 2005; Veitch, Charles, Newsham, Marquardt & Geerts, 2004; Karasek & Theorell, 1990).

The research therefore seeks to appraise the effect of the physical workplace environment on organizational performance.

1.2  Statement of the Problem

The advancement of technology and economic development has brought rapid changes in the physical work environment as well as workers attitude to work and organizational productivity. The growing concern of modern firms lies in the attainment of Organizational performance. Organizational performance constitutes the actual results achieved by a firm when compared to its original aims and objectives. Most firms focus their organizational performance objective on specific results as product performance, financial performance and shareholder returns. Richard et al. (2009).However the attainment of this specific aims and objective is critically influenced by the physical working environment in which the organizational personnel operates or carry out their daily functions. Consequently, in view of the rapid development in the business environment which has led to modernization, and technological advancement in all sphere of economic and social activities, it is no longer visible to achieve organizational performance without giving consideration to the environment in which the employees operate in executing the fundamental duties of the organization. Therefore the performance of the worker is affected by the working environment. This implies that a well working physical environment facilitate the attainment of high employee productivity and thereby resulting in high organizational performance.

The inability of many firms to take this into consideration has greatly affected workers attitude, welfare and overall productivity. The physical work environment constitutes the environment in which the worker exists to execute the fundamental duties of the organization. (Chapins, 1995) The physical environment consists of tangible and intangible factors existing in the physical location where the worker operates to execute the fundamental duties of the organization. This include   the tangible workplace offices or location, working conditions as good ventilation, airconditioning,safety and security, good office layout, technological facility as internet  system, telephone, office equipment, workplace policies and procedures, design and construction of the workplace etc.

A good number of studies involving employee physical work environment indicates that there is a relationship between physical work environment and employee  job satisfaction and productivity . This implies that physical work environment contributes positively to workers performance and organizational productivity such work conditions as  lighting, ventilation rates, access to natural light and acoustic environment (Humphries, 2005; Veitch, Charles, Newsham, Marquardt & Geerts, 2004; Karasek & Theorell, 1990).

1.3  Objectives of the Study

To determine the effect of the physical work environment on organizational performance in Nigeria

1.4  Research Questions

What is the meaning of physical work environment and organizational performance?

     What is the effect of physical working environment on organizational performance in Nigeria?

1.5  Significance of the Study

The study shall elucidate on the nature of physical work environment and its effect on organizational performance.

1.6  Research Hypothesis

Ho The effect of the physical work environment on organizational performance is low

Hi The effect of the physical work environment on organizational performance is high

1.7  Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the appraisal of the effect of the physical working environment on organizational performance in Nigeria.

1.8  Limitations of the Study

The study was confronted by some constraints as a logistic and geographical factor.

1.9  Definition of Terms

PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT DEFINED

The physical environment consists of tangible and intangible factors existing in the physical location where the worker operates to execute the fundamental duties of the organization. This includes tangible workplace offices or location, working conditions  as good ventilation, airconditioning,safety and security, good office layout, technological facility as an internet  system, telephone, office equipment, workplace policies and procedures, design and construction of the workplace, etc.

Organizational PERFORMANCE DEFINED

Organizational performances constitute the actual results achieved by a firm when compared to its original aims and objectives. Most firms focus their organizational performance objective on specific results as product performance, financial performance and shareholder returns. Richard et al. (2009)