Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. Occupants’ willingness to share information for improved comfort and energy efficiency in offices
 
research article

Occupants’ willingness to share information for improved comfort and energy efficiency in offices

Schweiker, Marcel
•
Potoglou, Dimitris
•
AlAtrash, Farah
Show more
January 1, 2026
Building and Environment

Background: Human environmental perception and occupant behaviour are influenced by a multitude of factors, including demographic variables and individual preferences. Advancements in data collection allow the acquisition of extensive personal information, such as heart rate, skin temperature, and emotional responses to environmental conditions. These data can enhance research on multi-domain influences and on optimizing building operations but raise questions regarding individuals' willingness to share personal information. Methodology: This study investigates how factors like data type, data collector, and anonymity level are associated with occupants’ willingness to share information for improved indoor environmental conditions or energy efficiency. A stated preference discrete choice experiment was developed and applied, with responses collected from participants in 29 countries, resulting in a dataset with 791 samples. The discrete choice analysis was conducted using mixed logit models and based on Random Utility Theory. Results: The outcomes indicate that respondents exhibit relative indifference toward sharing demographic and physical environmental data, while having heightened concerns about sharing psychological and activity-related information. Anonymity and control over the data appear to be of crucial importance. Additionally, data collection by academic institutions is preferred to that by for-profit entities. Variability in willingness to share data across and within samples of countries suggests a necessity for tailored strategies. Impact: This research underscores the necessity of balancing advancements in energy efficiency and thermal comfort with societal needs that respect individual rights. Practical recommendations for effective personal data collection are provided and methodological limitations due to scenario complexity and participant engagement are highlighted.

  • Files
  • Details
  • Metrics
Type
research article
DOI
10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113918
Scopus ID

2-s2.0-105020785155

Author(s)
Schweiker, Marcel

Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen

Potoglou, Dimitris

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

AlAtrash, Farah

German Jordanian University

Ampatzi, Eleni

Cardiff University

André, Maíra

Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Azar, Elie

Carleton University

Bandurski, Karol

Politechnika Poznanska

Bourikas, Leonidas

Sustainability and Climate Change Consultant

Buonocore, Carolina

Universidade Estadual do Maranhão

Cao, Bin

Tsinghua University

Show more
Date Issued

2026-01-01

Published in
Building and Environment
Volume

287

Article Number

113918

Subjects

Data privacy

•

Energy efficiency

•

Office buildings

•

Public preferences

•

Willingness to share data

•

Workplace

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
EPFL  
FunderFunding(s)Grant NumberGrant URL

VILLUM FONDEN

Welsh School of Architecture

CAPES

Show more
Available on Infoscience
November 18, 2025
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/255938
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés