Momentarily let's just define it as getting things done without disruption.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1998....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2401283/Open-plan-of...

http://www.informedesign.org/Rs_detail.aspx?rsId=1888

While the research information is relatively thin (as most work related research seems to be), it goes in line with my experience (and probably the commenter you've replied to).