What a crock of absolute shit. I'd hate working that way. So much noise and distraction. No connection to your place there. Might as well work fucking from home full time. Ugh. My office ever goes that way, I'm gonna have to find employment elsewhere.
There are so many studies that have been completed in the last 2 or 3 years that show this is a bad idea. Over stimulation from constant noise and stress from lack of privacy decrease productivity. One study revealed that electronic communication increases significantly while face to face correspondingly decreases in an agile environment. Why? Because people wear noise cancelling headphones all day.
It's all about the money and screw the employees. I would have far more respect for senior management if they admitted that and dropped the empowering and collaborative horseshit.
*MySmiley*
"Bustin' makes me feel good!"
Ghostbusters, by Ray Parker Jr.