The Productivity Paradox in Green Buildings

The Productivity Paradox in Green Buildings

In this paper we challenge the notion that “green” buildings can achieve greater productivity than buildings that are not accredited as “green”. For nearly two decades, research has produced apparent evidence which indicates that the design of a “green” building can enhance the productivity of its occupants. This relationship between building design and productivity is claimed to be achieved th...

Green Buildings and Productivity

Healthier space need not be new space. In fact, some new buildings are extremely unhealthy as chemicals leach out into the air from glues, carpets, concrete and paint. There is no reason this must be the case. The cost to provide healthier environments is modest compared to the benefits. Healthier buildings reduce sick time and increase productivity, making it easier to recruit and retain emplo...

Green Buildings, Organizational Success, and Occupant Productivity

Effects of green buildings on employee health and productivity.

We investigated the effects of improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on perceived health and productivity in occupants who moved from conventional to green (according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ratings) office buildings. In 2 retrospective-prospective case studies we found that improved IEQ contributed to reductions in perceived absenteeism and work hours affected by...

Resolving the productivity paradox

Solow (1987) made the statement that ‘we see computers everywhere except in the productivity statistics’. This has come to be known as the “productivity paradox.” Whether this is in fact a paradox or a direct implication of the diffusion of technical change is the focus of this paper. In particular, the implications of two different theoretical treatments of technology diffusion in an economy a...