Music and workplace performance according to Activation Theory

Activation Theory is based on neuropsychology and concerns the physical response in the brain stem to a wide variety of stimuli, including music. Activation theory can provide insight, and even an explanation, for the effects of background music on task performance, contextual performance and learning when it comes to the staff your workplace, venue or store. 



What is Activation Theory 

Activation theory has been used in the study of task complexity, job characteristics, boredom, and creativity. It also relates to music and work, with the most commonly studied outcome being classified into three general categories, task performance, contextual performance and learning (i.e., training) each of which are defined below:

• Task performance
  Task performance consists of behaviours “that contribute to organisational effectiveness because they involve task proficiency."
• Contextual performance
  Contextual performance – also known as organisational citisenship behaviours, or OCBs – involves activities that, rather than supporting production processes directly, more broadly support the environment in which these processes take place. That is, contextual performance behaviours are valued “because of their interpersonal and broader motivational implications. These behaviours are not prescribed by a business or organisation, and research has shown they may be influenced by affective factors such as mood, emotion, and stress.
• Learning (i.e., training).
  Finally, learning, which in the work context typically occurs during training, which “is about facilitating learning. These learning outcomes can be divided into three types: (1) cognitive, (2) skill-based, and (3) affective. In the context of music in the workplace, cognitive outcomes are most relevant, and consist of verbal knowledge, knowledge organisation, and cognitive strategies. 
  

Benefits of music on task performance

Prior to hearing music, individual workers will likely experience fairly low activation, and thus perform at a fairly low level. In general, then, we would expect music to be a form of stimuli compatible with task performance. meaning listening to music would increase activation, and thus performance. The results of a study by Lemaire argued that when listening to music, individuals have a more positive effect when it comes to memory of information.

Benefits of music on contextual performance

Broaden-and-build theory focuses on the favourable impact of positive emotions. Given the human affinity for music, its role in stimulating positive emotions cannot be discounted.



Music as learning aid

A study found that student performance on an attention test showed greatest variance when music was played during the test. They found that performance decreased significantly in silence compared to when the test was performed while listening to music with lyrics.

Let’s consider the complexities ...



Music as positive noise

Music differs from noise because its melody pleases the ear, and therefore music can even counteract workplace noise. "This assertion is supported by a series of manufacturing defect detection experiments in which found that music increased efficiency even when competing with machine noise. In keeping with Activation Theory, the use of music prevented the normal decline in performance of a repetitive task."



Additional studies experimented with solutions to the distracting nature of office noise, finding that continuous noise, but not meditation or brass music, reduced the negative impact of the office noise on a serial recall task. "Music can elevate and enhance an employee’s mood, along with masking distracting sounds, such as extraneous conversations and machine sounds individuals found music a more acceptable background sound than talking."



The importance of music choice

Specifically, individual choice in music listening is an important factor. For instance, a study of everyday music listening, found that control over music listening – typically exerted by using a personal listening device as desired – was linked to positive outcomes such as positive emotions and liking the music. This result is supported by an additional study that found self-selected music led to the most intense emotional response. Lack of choice [of music] tends to generate negative emotions.



Staff involvement and co-curation is key

A critical aspect of the POSmusic background music streaming platform is staff involvement and control. Continual feedback and improvement is key. An example of the positive effects of self-selected music is a driving simulation test that showed the "highest performance while participants listened to self-selected music. Lowest performance occurred while participants listened to experimenter- selected, high arousal music."



The importance of flexible listening options

Research indicates that music provided by headsets can be an effective strategy for boosting productivity. Certainly, other interventions might be used to enhance employee productivity, but few are easier to implement and less costly than personal headsets.



Music control equals motivation

The job characteristics model argues that autonomy is a key job design, the outcome of which adds to individual motivation. Hence, individual control over music listening may potentially be linked to motivation. POSmusic’s uniquely adaptable background music platform is built for business and guarantees happier staff and more productive work environments. To find out more, contact the POSmusic team or try of background music streaming platform free for 14 days. 

Sources:

Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity. (Scott, 1966) (Gardner, 1986; Scott, 1966), (e.g., P. C. Smith & Curnow, 1966) (e.g., Campbell, 1988), (e.g., Sims, Szilagyi, & Keller, 1976), (e.g., Fisherl, 1993), (e.g., Baer & Oldham, 2006),

Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity

(Motowidlo & Van Scotter, 1994, p. 476), (Organ, 1997), (e.g., social and psychological; Motowidlo & Van Scotter, 1994, (Motowidlo & Van Scotter, 1994, p. 476), (Dalal, Lam, Weiss, Welch, & Hulin, 2009; Motowidlo & Van Scotter, 1994), (Kraiger, Ford, & Salas, 1993)

Source: Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity (Scott, 1966)

Source: Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity. (e.g., Haake, 2011; Korczynski, 2014), Krause, North, and Hewitt (2015), Liljeström, Juslin, and Västfjäll (2013), Sloboda (2010, p. 498), Sloboda (2010, p. 498)

Source: Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity (Akerlof, 1982, 1984), (Fredrickson, 1998)

Source: Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity (Shih et al., 2012; Shih, Huang, & Chiang, 2009)

Source: Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity Fox and Embrey (1972), (Scott, 1966)

Source: Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity Schlittmeier and Hellbrück (2009),(Cumming, Oldham, Mischel, Schmidtke, & Zhou, 1996, para. 6), Gordon-Hickey and Moore (2007)

Source: Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity Cassidy and MacDonald (2009), K. Landay, P.D. Harms Human Resource Management Review 29 (2019) 371–385 378

Source: Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity (Cumming, et al. 1996, para.9

Source: Music in the Workplace Environment and Productivity linked K. Landay, P.D. Harms Human Resource Management Review 29 (2019) 371–385 (Hackman & Oldham, 1976)