Internal environment
In its broadest sense, the term ‘environment’ refers to all of the things around us. These things can affect our comfort, wellbeing, performance, behaviour, growth and development. In turn, our behaviour can impact on the environment around us.
The environment comprises the built environment and the natural environment. For more information see: Environment.
In the built environment, the phrase ‘internal environment’ typically refers to the environment that is created inside buildings or other enclosures. This is as opposed to the external environment, which comprises the environment outside buildings and other enclosures.
The internal environment might be formed by its:
- Size, form, layout, texture and so on.
- Acoustic environment.
- Visual environment.
- Thermal environment.
- Air quality.
This environment is created by the architecture of the building, including its fabric and systems, and as with the broader environment, it can affect our comfort, wellbeing, performance, behaviour, growth and development.
The phrase ‘internal environment’ can also be used to refer to the culture within an organisation, that is, the conditions, events, and policies that influence its activities and decision making. This might be affected by personalities, leadership styles, organisational structure, rewards structure, premises and so on.
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