Solving Business Problems with Open Plan Office Management

Business Analytics 1
Business Analytics

Business Analytics 2
Executive Summary
The aim of this report is to solve a business problem by using a theoretical framework
informed by empirical academic studies. Mainly, the report will concentrate on open plan office
management. The researcher will create a business report for the CEO of Gallifrey Inc. the self-
determination theory will be used in this literature review. The report will provide a statement of the
business problems from the symptoms presented in the case study. Also, the report will explain the self-
determination theoretical concepts in investigating the business problem facing this company. A
managerial decision statement will also be discussed in this report. An explanation of qualitative research
method and analysis will be done in the context of the problem at hand. Finally, the report will provide
recommendations which the CEO should employ to resolve the business problems.

Business Analytics 3
Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................2
Introduction: Overview of the Business Problems..........................................................................3
Overview of Literature....................................................................................................................4
Literature Review.........................................................................................................................4
Self-Determination Theory..........................................................................................................6
Justification of Theory.................................................................................................................7
Managerial Decision Statement...................................................................................................7
Method and Results.........................................................................................................................8
Qualitative Analysis.....................................................................................................................8
Method Used................................................................................................................................8
Findings and Analysis Presentation.............................................................................................9
Recommendations and Conclusions..............................................................................................10
Bibliography...............................................................................................................................12

Business Analytics 4
Introduction: Overview of the Business Problems
The output of employees may be closely influenced by the surrounding environment. A critical
factor which determines the productivity of the employee is a workplace environment and
conducive teamwork (Wray-Lake et al., 2019, p. 88). The third in the hierarchy of human needs
according to Maslow is love/belonging. Specifically, the environment in a workplace which
fulfills the passion and belonging needs of a person may promote productivity and create
motivation amongst the workers. People may desire and wish to work in a particular
environment based on the social and support mechanisms they have established or potentially
expect to create. In terms of the office productivity, the open plan office environment is
contended to be a factor for high producing employees due to the opportunities for interactions
and knowledge exchange (Wray-Lake et al., 2019, p. 90). Although the association with the low
productive employees can ultimately lead to the transition of laziness and assumption. The office
layout is the critical determinant towards motivational concepts of the employees. Business
founds a complicated situation in determining the office design singularly when owners are
keenly focused on individual personnel productivity. This paper will evaluate the concept of
open plan office keenly highlighting the theoretical assumptions related to the office layout.
Overview of Literature
Literature Review
Many researchers and scientist have conducted an empirical analysis of the concepts of office
layout. Their aim is reflective on the identification of the situatable office design for different
types of businesses. Different offices require some specifications in designing their office
interactions. Not all business requires office layout, but the core productivity activities determine
the ultimate idea of determining the office design (Lin and Liao, 2017, p. 655). The productivity