Greener Workspaces, Better Customer Relations: The Mediating Role of Employee Health in the Relationship Between Green Design and Customer Interaction in Interior Design Firms

Abstract

Green design is increasingly recognized as an important aspect of sustainable workplaces, yet its potential relevance to employee health and customer interaction in interior design firms requires further investigation. This study examined the relationship between Green Design and Customer Interaction, considering Employee Health as a mediating mechanism. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 341 employees working in interior design firms. The data were analyzed using SmartPLS and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed positive relationships between Green Design and Employee Health, Employee Health and Customer Interaction, and Green Design and Customer Interaction. These findings highlight the potential importance of environmentally responsive workplace features, including appropriate lighting, ventilation, low-emission materials, indoor greenery, and thermal comfort, for employee well-being and client-facing activities. The indirect-effect results also suggest a potential mediating role for Employee Health, although the mediation statistics require verification. This study contributes to workplace sustainability research by integrating environmental design, employee health, and customer interaction within a single framework. The findings offer practical insights for interior design firms seeking to align sustainable workplace planning with employee well-being and customer-related outcomes.