[OpenDrapery]

The decision maker always spins open office as some kind of collaborative, productivity enhancer. But we all know the real reason is cost.

[mattmanser]

I've always got the feeling more often the reason is trust, they don't trust their employees to work without someone looking at them all the time.

[croon]

Through many experiences I think you're right. However that is an issue that could be solved by being better at measuring productivity.

If I can produce better results while playing games for 4 hours and working for 4 hours in a closed office than I could while "working diligently" for 8 hours in an open office, then it's hard to argue for the value of visually supervising someone.

[majewsky]

It may be hard to argue rationally, but the protestant work ethic is a strong influence on our culture.