A study on the indoor environment quality: its impact on occupants’ productivity of university library (Wolverhampton University libraries as an example)

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) determines occupant comfort, health, and productivity within built environments. As essential academic spaces, university libraries enhance student learning, research, and overall academic performance. While previous studies have primarily examined the health and comfort aspects of IEQ, there has been limited research on its direct impact on occupant productivity, especially in university libraries. This study examines the relationship between IEQ factors, including air quality, thermal comfort, visual comfort, and acoustics comfort, and productivity in university library settings. A mixed-methods research approach will be employed, combining quantitative assessments through environmental monitoring and occupant surveys with qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions. Data will be analysed using statistical tools to identify correlations between IEQ parameters and productivity levels. Additionally, the findings will be compared against international comfort and environmental standards to pinpoint gaps and areas for improvement. This research will provide empirical evidence on how IEQ influences productivity in university libraries, offering valuable insights for facility managers, architects, and higher education policymakers. The outcomes of this study will inform strategies to optimise library environments, enhance academic experiences, and ensure sustainable, high-performance learning spaces.

Citation

Shetaw, M.S. (2026) A study on the indoor environment quality: its impact on occupants’ productivity of university library (Wolverhampton University libraries as an example). University of Wolverhampton. https://wlv.openrepository.com/handle/2436/626238

Publisher

University of Wolverhampton

URI

https://wlv.openrepository.com/handle/2436/626238

Type

Thesis or dissertation

Language

en

Description

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Wolverhampton.

Collections

Theses and Dissertations