(in German)

The study at hand tests to which degree employees' judgements of work environment factors match objectively measured characteristics on climate, illumination and noise. For this purpose, these work environment factors were recorded in different sections of a plant in the automobile industry via objective measurements to derive hypotheses on which sections were expected to differ in their subjective assessments. These hypotheses were tested based on questionnaire data from employees in the different sections by applying analysis of variance, general linear models and non-parametric test statistics. The results imply that there is congruence between objectively measured and subjectively assessed indicators of temperature and noise whereas discrepancies exist between both kinds of measurements regarding illumination.

Practical Relevance: The empirical results indicate that a single judgement does not allow for reliable statements about differences between the investigated sections. Instead, mean values represent the adequate base for such conclusions. For deriving job design measures, items are required that precisely assess separate aspects of the work environment in order to implement interventions tailored to the existing deficits.

This article is published in the Journal "Zeitschrift für Arbeitswissenschaft" (2018).

Please download the article "Agreement of objective measurement and subjective assessment of the work environment regarding climate, illumination and noise" (in German only).

First Online: 17 August 2018