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Article
Publication date: 21 March 2024

Rishi Kappal and Dharmesh K. Mishra

Executive isolation, also known as workplace loneliness, its factors and impact are major issues for organizational development, future of work for leadership and learning…

Abstract

Purpose

Executive isolation, also known as workplace loneliness, its factors and impact are major issues for organizational development, future of work for leadership and learning culture. The purpose of this study is to examine the Executive isolation phenomenon where relationships between power distance, organizational culture and executive isolation of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are analysed on how it is considered by their teams. The same is contextualized through the inputs received through interviews conducted with CEOs and employee surveys.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative in-depth interviews of five CEOs, and survey across 34 of the 50 employees, were undertaken over the course of two phases of this study. The investigation focused on identifying executive isolation of CEOs and perspectives of employees that can impact the leadership and learning progress of organizations based on work culture, power distance and decision-making; awareness and experience of executive isolation; workplace friendliness and rejection; and management development initiatives to minimize the impact of executive isolation. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA 2022 (Verbi Software, Berlin, Germany), which is a qualitative data analysis software.

Findings

The findings highlight and expose the significant gap between understanding and analysing of the factors due to which the CEOs undergo executive isolation. It also extends to providing details related to the lack of awareness of the teams’ actions contributing to the CEOs’ isolation. It further highlights the fact that the difference of perspectives between the CEOs and teams leads to the organization slowing in its learning activities due to the leaders’ own challenges of executive isolation The findings also provide immense need of developing knowledge assets and management development initiatives for learning interventions, to help understand, analyse and mitigate executive isolation, in the interest of the organizational learning and development.

Originality/value

Earlier research work have contextualized the executive isolation impact on CEOs ability to be a leader. This study extends it to include the implications of leadership and learning culture on the teams that are affected by organization culture, power distance, decision-making and analysing the gap between the understandings about executive isolation of the CEOs. Eventually, it interprets how CEOs courting the executive isolation impacts the overall developmental culture of the organization. This will help in asserting the serious need of new learning frameworks needed to minimize the impact of CEO-level executive isolation.

Details

The Learning Organization, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-6474

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2023

Hongyan Zhu, Xiaochong Wu, Pengzhen Lv, Yuansheng Wang, Huagang Lin, Wei Liu and Zhufeng Yue

Improvement and optimization design of a two-stage vibration isolation system proposed in this paper are conducted to ensure the device of electronic work effective.

Abstract

Purpose

Improvement and optimization design of a two-stage vibration isolation system proposed in this paper are conducted to ensure the device of electronic work effective.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed two-stage vibration isolation system of airborne equipment is optimized and parameterized based on multi-objective genetic algorithm.

Findings

The results show that compared with initial two-stage vibration isolation system, the angular vibration of the two-stage vibration isolation system becomes 3.55 × 10-4 rad, which decreases by 89%. The linear isolation effect is improved by at least 67.7%.

Originality/value

The optimized two-stage vibration isolation system effectively improves the vibration reduction effect, the resonance peak is obviously improved and the reliability of the mounting bracket and the shock absorber is highly improved, which provides an analysis method for two-stage airborne equipment isolation design under complex dynamic environment.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 October 2023

Anne Aidla, Helen Poltimäe, Kärt Rõigas, Eneli Kindsiko and Els Maria Metsmaa

The purpose of this study is to analyse perceived physical and social isolation and how they are linked in various places of work.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse perceived physical and social isolation and how they are linked in various places of work.

Design/methodology/approach

A nationwide study was conducted involving 3,352 Estonian office workers in spring 2021. Physical isolation was measured in terms of what proportion of time a person works away from co-workers (0%, 1%–25%, 26%–50%, 51%–75%, more than 75%). Social isolation diverged into two factors: lack of contacts and lack of meaningful connections. The different places of work the authors considered in the study included working from home with and without a dedicated room and different types of offices (private office, shared-cell office, activity-based office and open-plan offices of various sizes).

Findings

The results show that the negative consequences of physical isolation in the form of perceiving social isolation start to show when a person works 51% of the time or more away from others. However, the authors revealed the dual nature of social isolation in that when a person experiences a lack of contacts, the connections they do have with their colleagues are actually more meaningful.

Originality/value

The originality of the study comes from the fact that the authors uncovered the paradoxical nature of social isolation. This reveals itself in various places of work depending on the conditions at home and the type of office. Therefore, the authors move away from the simplified distinction of home vs office and take into account the level of physical isolation (what amount of time a person actually works away from colleagues).

Details

Journal of Corporate Real Estate , vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-001X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 August 2023

Hongyan Zhu, Pengzhen Lv, Xiaochong Wu, Yuansheng Wang, Wei Liu, Huagang Lin and Zhufeng Yue

This paper aims to propose a two-stage vibration isolation system for large airborne equipment to isolate aircraft vibration load.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a two-stage vibration isolation system for large airborne equipment to isolate aircraft vibration load.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the vibration isolation law of the discrete model of large airborne equipment under different damping ratios, stiffness ratios and mass ratios is analyzed, which guides the establishment of a three-dimensional solid model of large airborne equipment. Subsequently, the vibration isolation transfer efficiency is analyzed based on the three-dimensional model of the airborne equipment, and the angular and linear vibration responses of the two-stage vibration isolation system under different frequencies are studied.

Findings

Finally, studies have shown that the steady-state angular vibration at the non-resonant frequency changes little. In contrast, the maximum angular vibration at the resonance peak reaches 0.0033 rad, at least 20 times the response at the non-resonant frequency. The linear vibration at the resonant frequency is at least 2.14 times the response at the non-resonant frequency. Obviously, the amplification factor of linear vibration is less than that of angular vibration, and angular vibration has the most significant effect on the internal vibration of airborne equipment.

Originality/value

The two-stage vibration isolation equipment designed in this paper has a positive guiding significance for the vibration isolation design of large airborne equipment.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 July 2022

Rishi Kappal and Dharmesh K. Mishra

This paper aims to explore the interlinkage and association of executive isolation at the workplace faced by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a not-for-profit organizations (NPOs…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the interlinkage and association of executive isolation at the workplace faced by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) and its impact on the attrition at the C-Suite Professionals (CXO), Direct reports of CEO levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Executive isolation at top management with reference to the CEO level has emerged as a major challenge that is faced by NPOs with the effect being multiplied by the pandemic and remote working. This paper intends to examine the relevance of the impact of executive isolation experienced by top management leading to increase in the attrition at the CXO levels in NPOs due to their increasing dissatisfaction. To make a thorough study, a detailed literature review has been done followed by qualitative research methods of individual interviews, group interviews and surveys to ascertain the implications of CXO-level executive isolation on the CXOs attrition in NPOs.

Findings

The executive isolation experienced by CEOs makes them develop certain preconceived set of beliefs. By being isolated from the direct report CXOs and action on the ground and working from a remote location, they tend to inculcate their own decisions into the direct reports, thereby depriving them of authority and autonomy. This starts leading to the high level of CXO attrition.

Research limitations/implications

This paper has tried to study the linkage of the executive isolation at top management with the levels of CXO dissatisfaction leading to attrition at NPOs. This topic appears to be much-needed to be understood, especially when the new normal of work is being redefined.

Practical implications

The paper enumerates that the NPOs can attempt to deal with the challenges of engaging CXOs through virtual working; however, the mindfulness can be impacted by the experiences of executive isolation at management levels. This, in turn, can lead to lower morale, compromised performance resulting in CXO-level dissatisfaction and attritions.

Originality/value

With the limited awareness about executive isolation and its multiplier effect due to the pandemic, NPOs, like other enterprises, had to resort to virtual working. However, executive isolation at management levels apparently leads to reduction in the CXO-level engagement with the teams under them and with the CEO to which they report. This aspect can lead to the NPOs not being able to achieve their impact objectives during the outward turbulence and inward challenges of CXO-level attritions because of the CXO-level dissatisfaction.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 31 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 December 2023

Daryl Mahon

Loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for morbidity and mortality and a growing health concern. Peer support is an intervention that has shown efficacy in the wider…

Abstract

Purpose

Loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for morbidity and mortality and a growing health concern. Peer support is an intervention that has shown efficacy in the wider health-care arena. However, little is known about its effectiveness when working with adults and adolescents experiencing these issues. The purpose of this study is to conduct a scoping review on loneliness and social isolation in adult and youth populations.

Design/methodology/approach

A preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews was conducted. Five databases, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, Embase, PsycINFO and Scopus were searched for peer-reviewed literature published in English from inception to 2023.

Findings

The search yielded 2,402 articles of which (N = 12) met the inclusion criteria for this review. Peer support interventions for loneliness and social isolation are a relatively new topic of interest for academics. However, it is apparent that loneliness and social isolation cut across populations experiencing various health and social issues. More experiential research is needed to evidence the effectiveness of peer support in these areas with both adults and adolescents. Emerging areas of interest include the use of technology to deliver interventions and the use of technology to facilitate peer support implementation with populations difficult to reach.

Research limitations/implications

Peer support may be a promising social intervention to help those experiencing loneliness and social isolation associated with a range of health conditions. However, further research needs to be undertaken in this emerging area of practice.

Originality/value

Loneliness and social isolation are of increasing concern. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first scoping review conducted in this area

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 November 2023

Akanksha Jaiswal and Neethu Prabhakaran

COVID-19 forced employees to work remotely. Since this shift from physical to remote working was sudden and unprecedented, the authors aimed to examine the impact of employee…

Abstract

Purpose

COVID-19 forced employees to work remotely. Since this shift from physical to remote working was sudden and unprecedented, the authors aimed to examine the impact of employee well-being on performance in the context of remote work. Further, the authors explored how feelings of professional isolation and employees' control over their personal and professional boundaries (i.e. boundary control) moderated the well-being and performance link. The authors invoke the equity theory and boundary theory to augment their hypotheses.

Design/methodology/approach

With 218 full-time employees representing large information technology organisations in India, the authors tested the hypothesised relationships using regression and double moderation in the PROCESS macro.

Findings

Results indicate that well-being has a significant positive impact on employee performance as they worked remotely. Further, the authors found that professional isolation and boundary control moderated the link between well-being and performance such that when boundary control is high and professional isolation is low, the aforementioned relationship strengthened and vice versa.

Research limitations/implications

The authors extend the boundary theory as the crisis-induced remote work highlighted the employees' need for deploying alternating boundary management styles to balance their personal and professional lives.

Practical implications

Organisations must develop flexible work policies to facilitate remote work and managers must efficiently craft the overall management of professional isolation and employees' boundaries to boost their well-being and performance.

Originality/value

The authors not only examine the impact of employee well-being on performance in the context of remote work but also, in a first, examine the role of boundary control and professional isolation in this relationship.

Details

Employee Relations: The International Journal, vol. 46 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 December 2022

Rajat Kumar Behera, Pradip Kumar Bala, Prabin Kumar Panigrahi and Nripendra P. Rana

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared as a pandemic since COVID-19's widespread outbreak and the hospitality industry has been the hardest hit due to lockdown. Consequently…

Abstract

Purpose

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared as a pandemic since COVID-19's widespread outbreak and the hospitality industry has been the hardest hit due to lockdown. Consequently, hospitality workers are suffering from the negative aspects of mental health. In the event of such a crisis, this study aims to explore the link between unemployment and home isolation to the willingness to choose electronic consultation (e-consultation) by exploiting psychological ill-being and behavioural intention (BI) with marital status as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology is applied to primary data collected from 310 workers from the hospitality industry through an online survey.

Findings

Findings of this study suggest that the usage of the e-consultation service can be adopted using three levels. There are valid reasons to conclude unemployment and home isolation are linked to higher rates of psychological health behaviours, which can result in stigma, loss of self-worth and increased mortality. The adverse effect is higher for single individuals than for married people.

Originality/value

The study focussed on e-consultation, BI coupled with the Fishbein scale and a classification model for the prediction of willingness to choose e-consultation with the extension of Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB).

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 30 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 September 2023

Louise Jayne Whitehead

This paper aims to explore the links between being lonely and isolated, and increased risks of abuse for adults with care and support needs.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the links between being lonely and isolated, and increased risks of abuse for adults with care and support needs.

Design/methodology/approach

Thematic analysis was used to explore features of loneliness and social isolation present in South Yorkshire Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) published since 2014.

Findings

Ten out of fifteen SARs indicated there had been issues of loneliness and/or social isolation for the person who was the subject of the SAR.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this paper are that it only included SARs from the South Yorkshire area. Future research should explore national and international perspectives on these issues.

Practical implications

Safeguarding Boards should include actions to address loneliness and social isolation as part of prevention strategies and services to develop approaches that can minimise or prevent abuse before it occurs. Practitioners should routinely explore whether the people they work with feel lonely and/or isolated and support people to take appropriate action to mitigate these risks.

Originality/value

This paper uses the existing body of literature about loneliness and social isolation to explore the risks of abuse and neglect for adults with care and support needs.

Details

The Journal of Adult Protection, vol. 25 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1466-8203

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 July 2023

Shiji Lyndon, Husain Rokadia and Ajinkya Navare

The study aims to examine the dark side of teleworking and tests the various factors which lead to employee exhaustion while teleworking. The study examines two key variables…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to examine the dark side of teleworking and tests the various factors which lead to employee exhaustion while teleworking. The study examines two key variables, i.e. initiated interdependence and professional isolation, as antecedents of emotional exhaustion amongst employees who are teleworking. The study further investigates the mediating role of psychological detachment in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 307 employees who were teleworking for more than three months. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed hypothesis.

Findings

The study found that initiated interdependence and professional isolation positively impact emotional exhaustion. These findings suggest that employees whose work is designed such that others depend on them will experience high emotional exhaustion while teleworking. Also, employees who experience professional isolation because of a lack of connection while teleworking will experience emotional exhaustion. The study also revealed the mediating role of psychological detachment in these relationships.

Practical implications

The study has insights for policy-making concerning telework practices.

Originality/value

It is one of the first studies examining the impact of teleworking in a context when it is not a choice exercised by the employees but has been imposed upon them. This study is particularly relevant in the context of the decision made by some organizations to move to telework as a permanent work format.

Details

Evidence-based HRM: a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-3983

Keywords

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