Date of Degree
12-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Program
Business Administration
Advisor
Annette Craven
Advisor
Dawn Liguez
Advisor
Pamelyn Witteman
Abstract
In the digital era, distractions in the working environment significantly impede professionals’ ability to maintain attention during the workday. Recent studies underscore the benefits of adjustable desks that allow for transitions between sitting and standing, highlighting improvements in workers’ physical and psychological health. Specifically, it has been noted that standing enhances cognitive function, focus, and mental acuity while alleviating stress. Despite these insights, research has yet to systematically explore the impact of standing while working on attentional performance. Moreover, the effect of standing while working may vary between on-site and remote working environments due to differences in ambient distractions. This quasi-experimental, quantitative study draws on ecological theory to examine the relationship between working posture and attentional performance among fully remote versus fully on-site professionals. Employing a purposive sample of 100 professional workers, participants completed the Testmybrain.org Digital Neuropsychology Toolkit Gradual Onset Performance Task (TMB DNT GradCPT) online and a survey after working for one hour in either a seated or standing position. The findings revealed that working posture significantly affects attention span and cognitive performance among remote workers but not among their on-site counterparts. Although working posture influenced attentional performance metrics, work location did not moderate this effect. Notably, sitting was associated with a higher incidence of commission errors, fewer omission errors, and greater accuracy, albeit with lower overall attention test scores. The study concludes with recommendations for further research in this domain.
Recommended Citation
Gautreaux, Carlos, "Physiological Positioning and Its Effects on Seated vs. Standing Workers" (2024). Theses & Dissertations. 458.
https://athenaeum.uiw.edu/uiw_etds/458
Gautreaux Final Dissertation 07282024 v2.pdf (1967 kB)
First review - F. Lucille (Sia) Achica
Gautreaux Final Dissertation 07282024 v4.pdf (1986 kB)
Gautreaux_v4_siaedits_11-06-2024.pdf (1749 kB)
Final review - needs revisions to table of contents
Gautreaux Final Dissertation 07282024 v5 Static.pdf (1933 kB)
Included in
Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, Performance Management Commons, Technology and Innovation Commons