Open-plan offices are a cost-effective panopticon: cheap, effective way to ensure that not only the boss, but other co-workers are aware of where you are and -- more or less -- what you're doing. The "other co-workers" bit is crucial because even if the boss can't find Dave himself he can ask anyone in the space "hey, have you seen Dave" and be led to a meaningful answer. Companies will get rid of open-plan offices w…
Read Cubed: A Secret History of the Workplace by Nikil Saval. Its a history of office layouts. I like the Cave and Commons described in the book.