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Drawing from the combined theoretical approaches of the conservation of resources theory, broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and social cognitive theory, the current study examined the relationships between employee financial well-being and employee productivity via employee happiness while exploring the moderating role of gender in this mediated relationship.

Using partial least squares approach for structural equation modeling, the hypothesized model was tested employing primary data collected from banking employees.

The results showed that employee financial well-being has a significant positive effect on employee productivity and this effect was mediated by employee happiness. In addition, the results showed that this indirect effect was moderated by gender such that the relationship was more pronounced in males (versus females).

This study contributes to the nescient research on the consequences of financial well-being especially at an organizational level, with several implications for individuals, employees and organizations, while at the same time offering new insights for future investigation.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2023-0676

This study aims to explore the effects of remote work on employee productivity and innovation and how these effects are moderated by knowledge sharing and digital business intensity.

The study draws on survey data from a random sample of 231 remote workers across the USA. The analysis and empirical validation of the research model used partial least square.

The results demonstrate a positive association between remote work and employee productivity. In addition, the findings present empirical support for hitherto anecdotal evidence regarding the impact of remote work on innovation. In particular, the study notes that knowledge sharing and digital business intensity amplified the positive relationship between remote work and employee productivity. The results further revealed that the positive link between remote work and innovation was stronger in the presence of knowledge sharing.

The study contributes to the ongoing inquiry into remote work by drawing on the knowledge-based view as an underlying lens to understand the consequence of remote work. Identifying knowledge sharing and digital business intensity as moderators of the linkage between remote work and employee productivity is an important contribution, especially when researchers and practitioners are trying to understand the business value of working remotely. Furthermore, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to identify knowledge sharing as a key mechanism that strengthens innovation outcomes in a remote work environment.

This paper aims to investigate the motivational drivers for knowledge sharing (KS) through the application of mobile social networking (MSN) and their influence on employee productivity in the Malaysian construction industry.

The data was collected by distributing a self-administered questionnaire among employees working in the construction industry. A total of 250 questionnaires were collected and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. This study used a variety of analysis methodologies including correlation analysis, reliability and validity testing, as well as a structural model in evaluating the relationships between KS, motivational factors and influence on productivity.

The empirical results of this study reveal that utilitarian motivation is positively related to internal and external KS. Similarly, internal and external KS have a positive influence on productivity, while internal and external hedonic motivation does not show any significant relationship with productivity.

Considering the paucity of evidence regarding the determinants of KS motivational drives on employee productivity in the Malaysian construction industry, this study enriches the social cognitive theory-based literature on KS.

This study provides some insights to the players in the construction industry in implementing the most appropriate KS promotion strategies that could potentially influence employee productivity. Organisations in the construction industry that place great emphasis on utilitarian motivation including competency, reward and incentives are more likely to have a better influence on KS and, in turn, positively impact employee productivity.

This study meaningfully contributes to enhancing the understanding of the motivational drivers for sharing knowledge on MSN and its influence on productivity. The findings of this study potentially assist construction practitioners in developing a holistic blueprint for managing their KS towards improving the overall productivity of their employees.

The world of work is constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced working from home, and there is an increasing demand for flexibility regarding the workplace. There is little empirical evidence on the mechanisms and factors that influence employee outcomes, such as productivity and turnover intention, at the workplace and at home. In addition, it is unclear whether the workplace characteristics that influence employee outcomes vary between different nations due to country-specific circumstances. The paper aims to address these two issues.

The research model applied in this study is based on the job demands-resources (JD-R) and environmental demands-resources models using German (n = 429) and USA (n = 507) survey samples. Partial least squares structural equation modelling is used to analyse the influence of workplace characteristics (isolation, family–work interference, equipment/facilities and skill variety) on employee outcomes (satisfaction, burnout, productivity and turnover intention). Additionally, a multi-group analysis is used to explore group differences in the factors influencing satisfaction, burnout, productivity and turnover intention between employees in Germany and the USA.

The results reveal that significant determinants of productivity and turnover intention include isolation, family–work interference, equipment/facilities and skill variety. Isolation and equipment/facilities are identified as the most important demands and resources of the home workplace. Some significant differences are found between Germany and the USA. The positive effect of isolation on burnout is significantly stronger in the USA than in Germany, whereas the positive effect of family–work inference on burnout is stronger in Germany than in the USA. The negative effects visible for the relations between burnout and satisfaction, and satisfaction and turnover intention are stronger in Germany than in the USA. The positive effect of burnout on turnover intention is stronger in the USA compared to Germany.

The study adds empirical evidence to the JD-R theory by analysing the influence of the home workplace characteristics on employee outcomes in different countries for the first time using a multi-group analysis. In addition, the study reveals new insights into the differences between the knowledge workforces in Germany and the USA by uncovering how key factors influence employee outcomes such as productivity and turnover intention, partially carried by varying length of experience in work from home between both of these countries. Insights from this study can support corporate real estate managers to make better decisions on the design of employees’ home workplaces and the integration of work from home into the company’s workspace concept.

Positive experiences with working from home (WFH) during the Corona pandemic (COVID-19) have motivated many employees to continue WFH after the pandemic. However, factors influencing employees' WFH intentions against the backdrop of experiences during pandemic-induced enforced working from home (EWFH) are heterogeneous. This study investigates factors linked to information technology (IT) professionals' WFH intentions.

This mixed-methods study with 92 IT professionals examines the effects of seven predictors for IT professionals' WFH intentions. The predictors are categorized according to the trichotomy of (1) characteristics of the worker, (2) characteristics of the workspace and (3) the work context. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the quantitative survey data. In addition, IT professionals' responses to six open questions in which they reflect on past experiences and envision future work are examined.

Quantitative results suggest that characteristics of the worker, such as segmentation preference, are influencing WFH intentions stronger than characteristics of the workspace or the work context. Furthermore, perceived productivity during EWFH and gender significantly predict WFH intentions. Contextualizing these quantitative insights, the qualitative data provides a rich yet heterogeneous list of factors why IT professionals prefer (not) to work from home.

Reasons influencing WFH intentions vary due to individual preferences and constraints. Therefore, a differentiated organizational approach is recommended for designing future work arrangements. In addition, the findings suggest that team contracts to formalize working patterns, e.g. to agree on the needed number of physical meetings, can be helpful levers to reduce the complexity of future work that is most likely a mix of WFH and office arrangements.

This study extends literature reflecting on COVID-19-induced changes, specifically the emerging debate about why employees want to continue WFH. It is crucial for researchers and practitioners to understand which factors influence IT professionals' WFH intentions and how they impact the design and implementation of future hybrid work arrangements.

The purpose of the cross-cultural study is three-fold – (1) to examine the effect of agile strategic human resource management (ASHRM) practices for each stage of the employee life-cycle on employee outcomes, (2) to investigate employee outcomes – organisational outcome linkage and (3) to explore the link between organisational outcomes and shared values to society.

The research used random sampling to select 674 managers (358 from India and 316 from Thailand) who work in food processing firms. A structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents separately for collecting data. The authors used PLS-SEM to verify the study hypotheses and related research models.

The multi-group analysis (MGA) results indicated a significant difference in agile SHRM practices, employee outcomes, organisational outcomes and shared values in the Indian and Thai samples. However, the difference in the impact of the organisational outcome on shared values to society was found to be insignificant, suggesting that organisational outcome had a similar impact on shared values in both countries.

The agile strategic HR practices, especially talent acquisition, learning and development, reward and recognition, must be aligned to suit country-specific culture for improving job satisfaction, employee engagement and employee productivity, which would result in improved organisational outcomes such as profitability and customer satisfaction, ultimately enhancing shared values to society. This comparative analysis would also help the Indian and Thai food sectors develop new strategies or alter existing ones in light of the ASHRM model.

The study provides an innovative ASHRM framework from a cross-cultural perspective, which may help organisations to adopt agile talent acquisition, career development and separation strategies to thrive in the turbulent international business environment.

The health of an economy is heavily dependent on the productivity of the economy's major industries including construction. While most macro-measures of productivity in the USA construction industry indicate a decline, corresponding studies at the individual task level indicate an increase in productivity. Therefore, this paper aims to identify areas where productivity challenges exist and thus provide recommendations for improvement in the construction industry.

A model that relates the way construction projects are executed with the sources of data that inform productivity analyses is developed and presented. This effort/value-flow model informs the data analysis that is performed to determine productivity trends for management and field labor. Further analysis for field labor productivity using field data and management productivity was separately conducted. Management productivity was particularly difficult to gauge, resulting in the use of surrogate measures.

It was observed that while both field labor and management productivities at the industry level have been decreasing, the decrease in management productivity was five times that of field labor productivity. A similar trend was observed for management productivity at the project level.

The primary contribution of this paper to the body of knowledge and industry is the introduction of a holistic analysis of USA construction productivity. Recommendations to improve management productivity include the use of technology, especially project management software.

With the goal to indicate the importance of human–nature connection in designing workplaces, the authors investigated the effects of direct and indirect biophilic indicators on the well-being and performance of employees of an organization. The main question is what is the effect of biophilic components on the well-being and performance of employees.

To answer the research questions, the authors designed and validated an instrument to evaluate correlation between biophilic components with well-being and performance. The participants include 160 employees of one organization. For the data analysis, both descriptive statistical and inferential statistics were used. Pearson's correlation test and ANOVA were conducted to explain the relationship between variables.

The results indicated that biophilic components have significant positive relationships with the well-being of the employees, but no significant relationship was found between biophilic components and the performance of the employees. Using the ANOVA test, biophilic indicators that have a positive and significant effect on the well-being and performance of employees were determined. The natural scenery and warm colors has significant positive effects on social well-being, and the usage of natural landscape posters in the working rooms has a positive and significant relationship with psychological well-being. The natural lighting has a positive and significant relationship with the employees' counterproductive work behavior.

Most of the questionnaires of this research were filled electronically because of the health protocols during pandemic. Almost 70% of the organization's employees had less than 5 years of work experience, which can be considered one of the interfering factors. In addition, the authors only used the questionnaire as a tool for collecting information in this study. There are other forms of information that can be explored through observations, interviews or experiments. Another limitation of this study is the lack of significant diversity in the investigated environments. Finally, the numbers of male and female participants of this study were not equal. The authors suggest studying both genders with an almost equal ratio so that the differences and needs of both groups can be understood.

The designed questionnaire is a validated instrument that can be used by other researchers to evaluate the biophilic design of workplace. These findings can also be useful for managers, companies and organizations in making decisions to improve the working environment and increase the well-being and performance of their employees.

The social effects of biophilic design in the workplace are significant as well. The use of biophilic components can foster a sense of connection between employees and their workplace, creating a positive social environment that supports collaboration and communication. Additionally, a biophilic workplace can promote a positive company culture that values the health and well-being of its employees, which can contribute to employee retention and satisfaction.

In this study, to determine the effects of the biophilic indicators on dimensions of employees' well-being and performance, an instrument is designed and validated.

This study aims to identify and analyse the gains and strains associated with flexible working practices (FWPs) introduced and adopted prior to and during the pandemic and consider how these experiences are likely to shape the future of workplace flexibility post-pandemic.

A case study research strategy was adopted to explore the FWPs implemented by a state-owned organisation in the Chinese publishing industry. A mixed data collection method was used. Quantitative data was collected from 50 valid questionnaires, which was followed by 7 qualitative interviews to gain rich insights into the availability and effectiveness of various FWPs and associated benefits and drawbacks.

While the results confirm positive effects FWPs have on employee engagement and retention and on business continuity and employee well-being during the pandemic, the empirical analysis highlights the performance-driven patterns in use and impacts of some FWPs, which caused concerns and dilemmas. Besides the increasing intense market competition, the changing face of state-owned enterprises and managerial attitudes have been found to have significant effects on the use of FWPs.

This paper has contributed to a better understanding of flexible working in an under-researched setting, reflected in changes before and during the pandemic, offering an insight into the commercialised nature of flexible working in the Chinese context. It has implications for organisations and HR practitioners as they envision future workplace flexibility.

This paper offers a new perspective on the potential motivation for the adoption of employee ownership based on market power. Employee ownership may be linked to market power, either through contributing to firm growth that leads to market power or through industry leaders adopting employee ownership as part of rent sharing or a broader consolidation of market position. Both employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) coverage and product market concentration (PMC) have been increasing in the past two decades, providing a good opportunity to see if and how these are related.

The authors predict ESOP adoption and termination using multilevel regressions based on 2002–2012 firm- and industry-level data from the Census Bureau, Compustat and Form 5500 pension datasets.

The authors find that the top four firms in concentrated industries are more likely to adopt Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), while having an ESOP does not predict entering the top four, apart from firm-level predictors. Tests indicate the first result does not reflect simple rent sharing with employees but instead appears to reflect an effort by firms to consolidate market power through the attraction and retention (or “locking in”) of industry talent. Other positive predictors of ESOPs include company size, being in a high-wage industry and having a defined benefit (DB) pension.

To better distinguish among hypotheses, it would be helpful to have firm-level data on managerial attitudes, strategies, networks and monopsony measures. Therefore, future research using such data would be highly useful and encouraged.

The paper includes implications for the potential usefulness of ESOPs in attracting and retaining talent and for the design of nuanced policy to encourage more broadly based sharing of economic rewards.

While prior research focuses on firm-level predictors of employee ownership, this study uses market concentration and other industry-level variables to predict the use of ESOPs. This study makes a unique contribution, broadening the current thinking on firm motives and environmental conditions predictive of firm ESOP adoption.