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This research aims to explore perceptions of subjective well-being (SWB) in public relations (PR) practitioners, focusing on dimensions of job satisfaction, networking, relationships and work–life balance, while addressing the under-researched area of gender and age – related to stages of life – disparities in SWB within the PR industry.

Employing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, this study utilised a survey, followed by semi-structured interviews to investigate SWB among PR professionals in Portugal, considering gender and stages of life differences.

Using a gendered and stages of life lens, this study found nuanced perceptions of SWB among Portuguese PR professionals. Older women showed higher emotional well-being but lower work evaluations than men, while young professionals exhibited less gender disparities in SWB. Men reported greater job satisfaction, emphasising passion, while women faced challenges like work overload and valued recognition. Gender differences were seen in networking, with men favouring teamwork and women valuing friendships for career advancement. Work–life balance issues, especially among older women, related to mental health.

This study contributes to filling the research gap regarding SWB in the PR industry, particularly in Portugal, offering insights into gender and stages of life dynamics that influence SWB perceptions, thereby informing strategies for enhancing well-being and productivity in PR workplaces.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the differences between generational groups (specifically Generations X, Y and Z) in terms of variables that influence organisational commitment and intention to stay within an organisation. The aim is to fill the research gap in understanding how different factors influence commitment and retention across different generations.

This study follows a quantitative approach based on cross-sectional survey data. The respondents were employees of Generations X, Y and Z. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling and multigroup analysis.

The results of the study indicate several relationships between variables and organisational commitment/intention to stay. Person-organisation fit is positively related to organisational commitment, and work-life balance is positively related to both organisational commitment and intention to stay. The mediation of organisational commitment shows a positive relationship with person-organisation fit and work-life balance. In addition, there are positive relationships between organisational culture and both organisational commitment and intention to stay, as well as a positive relationship between person-organisation fit and intention to stay. Furthermore, all three Generations (X, Y and Z) show positive relationships between organisational commitment and intention to stay.

The implications of the study are twofold. First, it provides theoretical contributions by uncovering the relationships between various variables and organisational commitment/retention. Second, it provides practical implications for organisations by highlighting the importance of person-organisation fit, work-life balance and organisational culture in fostering commitment and retention among employees of different generations.

The originality and value of this study lies in its exploration of the differences between generational groups in terms of variables affecting organisational commitment and intention to stay. By addressing this research gap, the study contributes to the existing literature on organisational commitment and retention. The detailed presentation of theoretical contributions, practical implications, limitations and suggestions for future research enhances the overall value of the study.

This study aims to examine the impact of coworking spaces (CWS) on the wellbeing and entrepreneurial satisfaction of remotely working micro-entrepreneurs, highlighting the role of these spaces beyond conventional work locations. It specifically investigates how CWS foster a supportive ecosystem for micro-entrepreneurs, supporting their professional journey.

Employing a mixed-methodological approach, this study uses nearest-neighbor matching and multiple regressions based on quantitative surveys from a representative sample of micro-entrepreneurs, including those working from CWS, and a qualitative focus group with frequent CWS users. This comprehensive approach allows for a nuanced exploration of the impacts of CWS on micro-entrepreneurs' wellbeing and satisfaction.

The study finds that micro-entrepreneurs experience significant benefits from utilizing CWS, most notably in terms of wellbeing and work–life balance. These spaces provide valuable support through community building, networking opportunities and structured work environments. The benefits of CWS are particularly pronounced for women and micro-entrepreneurs with young children, aiding in boundary management and mitigating the challenges of social isolation.

We provide clear implications for remotely working micro-entrepreneurs, especially women with young children at home, on why to use CWS as their primary locations. The findings also offer insights for policymakers and CWS providers, underlining the importance of designing CWS environments that meet micro-entrepreneurs' diverse needs.

This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a detailed examination of the utilization of CWS among micro-entrepreneurs and the impact of CWS on their wellbeing and entrepreneurial satisfaction.

Executive isolation of C-suite executives (CXOs), amplified by imposed and voluntary remote working practices, has emerged as a major challenge that is impacting the collaborative needs of CXOs, the work–life balance and hence career progression. This paper aims to examine the impact of remote working on executive isolation impacting the collaborative needs, work–life balance and career of CXOs from organizations in India.

Qualitative research approach was adopted for the study. The respondents based on inclusion criteria were selected through purposive sampling. The survey was administered to 50 CXOs representing multinational companies in India, of which 45 CXOs responded. The data was analyzed using MAXQDA 2022 (Verbi Software, Berlin, Germany).

Companies try to save costs by promoting remote working but might countermine its implications on CXOs collaborative needs, work–life balance and career slowdown. Businesses are now able to hire CXOs and other people who do not physically work alongside their counterparts but at the cost of enhancing executive isolation and loss of productivity. Imposed remote working can adversely affect the CXOs interactivity and productivity, thus enhancing executive isolation and impacting career progression.

The remote working was mandatory during the pandemic but became a practice henceforth. The impact of remote working on the CXOs collaborative needs, work–life balance and career progression has largely been unstudied. There is limited awareness about impact of remote working on executive isolation and its multiplier effect impacting the CXOs careers and it is an inward challenge which needs to be mitigated by the companies. This aspect can lead to the CXOs not being able to achieve their objectives, making the organizations lose trust on their ability to lead and eventually slowing down their career progression, due to remote working led executive isolation.

This paper presents the findings of assessing the strategies required for improved work-life balance (WLB) of construction workers in Eswatini. This was done to improve the work-life relationship of construction workers and, in turn, improve the service delivery of the construction industry in the country.

The study adopted a quantitative research approach using a questionnaire administered to construction professionals in the country. The data gathered were analysed using frequency, percentage, Mann–Whitney U test, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

The findings revealed that the level of implementation of WLB initiatives in the Eswatini construction industry is still low. Following the attaining of several model fitness, the study found that the key strategies needed for effective WLB can be classified into four significant components, namely: (1) leave, (2) health and wellness, (3) work flexibility, and; (4) days off/shared work.

The findings offer valuable benefits to construction participants as the adoption of the identified critical strategies can lead to the fulfilment of WLB of the construction workforce and by extension, the construction industry can benefit from better job performance.

This study is the first to assess the strategies needed for improved WLB of construction workers in Eswatini. Furthermore, the study offers a theoretical platform for future discourse on WLB in Eswatini, a country that has not gained significant attention in past WLB literature.

Regardless of where the business stood at the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 afflicted the corporate world as well as most of the workforce worked remotely due to government-mandated isolation. The range of personal and professional problems experienced due to remote working by employees was explored at one of the Non-Financial Banking companies and how the company responded to their well-being by interviewing 124 employees and a senior HR personnel. Remote work induced by COVID-19 was not a cakewalk as 56.5% of employees desired physical connectivity with colleagues, for 50.8% work done from home was not interesting and more than 50% of the respondents agreed to work more hours than usual. The outcome was anxiety for some of them. The imbalance between personal and professional life was dissipated with the support of the management as 94.4% of them got sufficient support from their respective managers and colleagues, as they were able to communicate and collaborate with them. The managerial side validated the responses in a way that a flexible and target-oriented approach was adopted for employees. They organized stress management activities and ensured connections through regular employee connect and communication by Learning and Development department. Additionally, COVID-19 advisories and guidelines were followed while engaging with employees. The work–life balance shaken due to remote work was managed with responsive humanistic management practices that had the enduring effect of garnering employee engagement levels with the organization.

Prior research has extensively examined how bringing technology from work into the non-work life domain creates conflict, yet the reverse pathway has rarely been studied. The purpose of this study is to bridge this gap and examine how the non-work use of smartphones in the workplace affects work–life conflict.

Drawing from three literature streams: technostress, work–life conflict and role boundary theory, the authors theorise on how limiting employees' ability to integrate the personal life domain into work, by means of technology use policy, contributes to stress and work–life conflict. To test this model, the authors employ a natural experiment in a company that changed its policy from fully restricting to open smartphone access for non-work purposes in the workplace. The insights gained from the experiment were explored further through qualitative interviews.

Work–life conflict declines when a ban on using smartphones for non-work purposes in the workplace is revoked. This study's results show that the relationship between smartphone use in the workplace and work–life conflict is mediated by sensed stress. Additionally, a post-hoc analysis reveals that work performance was unchanged when the smartphone ban was revoked.

First, this study advances the authors' understanding of how smartphone use policies in the workplace spill over to affect non-work life. Second, this work contributes to the technostress literature by revealing how, in specific situations, engagement with ICT can reduce distress and strain.

Based on Indian conceptualisation of workplace spirituality, this study aims to examine the linkage between four dimensions of workplace spirituality (swadharma, authenticity, lokasangraha and sense of community) and work-to-family (WTF) enrichment. It also explored the mediating effect of psychological and social capital and the moderating effect of gratitude.

A sample of 387 women employees of Indian hospitality industry was collected in three waves. The collected data were analysed in three stages. Firstly, reliability, validity and multicollinearity were assessed using appropriate statistical measures like Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability and average variance explained. Secondly, the relationship between four dimensions of workplace spirituality and WTF enrichment were examined using correlation and hierarchical regression. Several demographic variables like marital status, age, experience and income level were controlled. Thirdly, the moderating effect of gratitude and mediating effects of psychological and social capital were analysed using PROCESS macro.

The results showed adequate reliability and validity estimates. Also, four dimensions of Indian workplace spirituality were significantly related to WTF enrichment with these dimensions of workplace spirituality collectively explaining 46.8% variations in WTF enrichment. The results also concluded significant meditating effect of psychological and social capital. It also asserted significant moderating effect of gratitude.

The study is based on longitudinal data collected to test seven hypotheses of the study.

The study directs attention to the psychological conditions experienced and knowledge management practices leveraged by faculty in higher education institutes (HEIs) to cope with the shift to emergency remote teaching caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing attention on faculty experiences during this transition, this study aims to examine an under-investigated effect of the pandemic in the Indian context.

Interpretative phenomenological analysis is used to analyze the data gathered in two waves through 40 in-depth interviews with 20 faculty members based in India over a year. The data were analyzed deductively using Kahn’s framework of engagement and robust coding protocols.

Eight subthemes across three psychological conditions (meaningfulness, availability and safety) were developed to discourse faculty experiences and challenges with emergency remote teaching related to their learning, identity, leveraged resources and support received from their employing educational institutes. The findings also present the coping strategies and knowledge management-related practices that the faculty used to adjust to each discussed challenge.

The study uses a longitudinal design and phenomenology as the analytical method, which offers a significant methodological contribution to the extant literature. Further, the study’s use of Kahn’s model to examine the faculty members’ transitions to emergency remote teaching in India offers novel insights into the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on educational institutes in an under-investigated context.