Totally. So glad to see a study being referenced! Also, it really should be obvious that open plan offices are a nightmare. If you feel like it, you can read my explanation below of why I think obviously stupid layouts are so common.
During my interior architecture education I was surprised to discover how little canon is based on studies. Ideas of what works tend to come from designer preferences and to run in trends as designers are often trend-conscious.
As a fish out of water, a writer studying design, I noticed there are styles of working, such as in little clusters of desks, that just seem more natural to designer types. Having come from a seminar world, where the tables tend to be arranged into a big rectangle so everyone can participate in central discussion, I found myself constantly questioning assumptions about environmental psychology. Those studies are expensive to fund and their findings are stodgy. One sad reality is that decisions made to save money or cram in more workers are often arrived at and justified by design concepts that don't have any idea how to consider user experience.
For instance, I saw a fancy office design for workers who would often travel between offices, so there were lots of these little perching spots in nooks and crannies along the hallways. It actually looked great with its sleek curves and hip minimalism, unless you thought about it as your life. So, you just came from the airport and what you really want is to scrunch on a stool in a hallway at an admittedly very gorgeous tiny desk to remind you how much the company values your physical presence? Did no one think this through? Probably not. Seriously. They thought about giving tours to investors.
Great comment. I think usability takes a back seat in a lot of domains. Perhaps is an urban legend, but I heard that an architect designed a building and didn't add paths. After a few months of people walking across the grass leaving bald patches, the paths were added to match where people had been walking.
I believe it! In fact, it's even more believable if adding the paths where people wore down the grass was the plan. Very high concept. :)