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1 – 10 of over 33000The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of work atmosphere which have a positive influence on job satisfaction. Specifically, it focuses on how supervisor’s…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of work atmosphere which have a positive influence on job satisfaction. Specifically, it focuses on how supervisor’s cooperation and career growth affect job satisfaction mediating through work atmosphere in a private corporate entity.
Design/methodology/approach
To attain this objective, a research framework with a mediating variable of work atmosphere was formulated. Using measurement scales created to assess different aspects of job satisfaction, career growth, supervisor’s cooperation and work atmosphere, a survey instrument was developed to test the various relationships implied by the framework. Data (n = 325) were collected from the employees of a local chemical company in Bangladesh following convenience sampling procedure. The analysis has been done by bootstrapping procedure following structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
The result shows that work atmosphere has a significant mediating role in linking supervisor cooperation and job satisfaction of the employees in the organization.
Research limitations/implications
As with any study, there are limitations to the study described here. One possible drawback is the use of a single company’s employees as respondents. Second, the sample size is not very large, because respondents were observed to be negligent in filling the questionnaire provided to them. If the sample size could be increased a bit more, then the authors might have better outcomes as postulated in the paper. Nevertheless, the usual cautions about over-generalizing findings from this sample, to populations for which it is not strictly representative, apply. The sample was not randomly drawn to represent a population to which findings could be generalized. Instead, it was a convenience sample, and as such, the ability to generalize the findings very far beyond the sample is limited.
Practical implications
From a practical perspective, as a cumulative body of work on job satisfaction with mediating variable of work atmosphere emerges, the authors will be better able to advise employers on the elements they need to address to increase their employee retention rate. In this study, the one area of findings that may help business and commercial organizations the most concerns work environment in the workplace. The authors found that supervisor cooperation and work atmosphere were associated with positive path value toward job satisfaction. Similarly, career growth and work atmosphere also exhibit positive path value towards job satisfaction. The implication is that employers can focus on supervisor cooperation in rightly and duly promoting the deserving employees, and in doing so, they can generate positive attitudes toward these activities.
Originality/value
This paper will add immense importance of work atmosphere to the organizational learning and behavior.
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Maria Fors Brandebo, Sofia Nilsson and Gerry Larsson
The purpose of this paper is to investigate if the thesis “bad is stronger than good” also holds true for a number of leadership issues, more specifically: trust in the immediate…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate if the thesis “bad is stronger than good” also holds true for a number of leadership issues, more specifically: trust in the immediate leader, emotional exhaustion, work atmosphere and propensity to leave.
Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaire responses were obtained from military personnel in Estonia, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands (n=625).
Findings
Multiple regression analyses revealed a certain pattern. Constructive leadership behaviours showed stronger positive associations with trust in the immediate supervisor and work atmosphere, than destructive leadership behaviours showed negative associations. On the other hand, destructive leadership behaviours showed stronger positive associations with emotional exhaustion and propensity to leave, than constructive leadership behaviours showed negative associations. This suggests that constructive leadership behaviours possibly have a greater impact on positive phenomenon and/or phenomenon associated with work-related relationships. On the other hand, destructive leadership behaviours appear to have a greater impact on negative phenomena with a stronger personal meaning. The results also show that the passive forms of destructive leadership are the behaviours that had the strongest impact on the investigated dependent variables.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations related to item construction, common method variance, response set tendencies, translation of the instruments, and lack of response rate are discussed.
Practical implications
The results emphasize the importance of focusing on both constructive and destructive leadership at the selection stage, as well as during training of military leaders. Focusing on them separately obstructs optimal leader development and prevents leaders from gaining authentic self-knowledge. The results also point at the importance of including both aspects of leadership in leader evaluation processes.
Originality/value
The use of both constructive and destructive leadership behaviours with respondents from multiple nations in the same analysis.
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Petri Nokelainen and Pekka Ruohotie
This study aims to examine the factors of growth‐oriented atmosphere in a Finnish polytechnic institution of higher education with categorical exploratory factor analysis…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the factors of growth‐oriented atmosphere in a Finnish polytechnic institution of higher education with categorical exploratory factor analysis, multidimensional scaling and Bayesian unsupervised model‐based visualization.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was designed to examine employee perceptions of how their managers create conditions that support professional growth and learning, and how the employees perceive their growth motivation and commitment to the organization. Data were gathered from 447 employees with the Growth‐oriented Atmosphere Questionnaire in a Finnish polytechnic institution of higher education.
Findings
Results showed that the theoretical four‐group classification of the growth‐oriented atmosphere factors was supported by the empirical evidence. Results further showed that managers and teachers had higher growth motivation and level of commitment to work than other personnel, including job titles such as cleaner, caretaker, accountant and computer support. Employees across all job titles in the organization, who have temporary or part‐time contracts, had higher self‐reported growth motivation and commitment to work and organization than their established colleagues.
Practical implications
Leaders in various organizations may benefit from learning what is the current professional growth status of diverse employee groups, and in understanding the potential differences in employee growth motivation.
Originality/value
This study contributes to an understanding of organizational growth and learning as a non‐linear process. The statistical non‐linear modeling approach is novel providing research and practical example of how to use these techniques in practice.
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Shen Lei, Cuijuan Qin, Muhammad Ali, Susan Freeman and Zheng Shi-Jie
The purpose of this study is to develop and test a multilevel conceptual model which explains how authentic leadership (AL), through an innovative team atmosphere and promotion of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop and test a multilevel conceptual model which explains how authentic leadership (AL), through an innovative team atmosphere and promotion of self-efficacy, influences creativity. The study delineates two pathways from AL to creativity. The first pathway is an indirect effect through an innovative atmosphere at the team level and self-efficacy at the individual level, while the second pathway focuses on the moderating effect of AL between self-efficacy and individual creativity.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 58 team leaders and 283 employees in a creative industry park in the Yangtze River Delta region from China. Path analysis was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses using the statistical package M-plus (v. 7).
Findings
The results reveal that AL is an important antecedent of creativity. Furthermore, an innovation-based atmosphere at the team level mediates the theorized relationship between AL and individual creativity. However, creative self-efficacy at the individual level does not mediate this relationship. Finally, the study found that AL moderates the relationship between creative self-efficacy and individual creativity.
Originality/value
The implications of this study highlight important considerations for enterprises in creative industry parks within and beyond China. This study provides industry leaders with a clearer and more insightful and coherent means of understanding the mediating mechanism between AL and creativity, and the moderating effects of AL between individual self-efficacy and creativity through a new linkage model.
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The present study seeks to investigate how small firm owners' “poaching” concerns could be overcome so that workforce skills development could be stimulated in such firms.
Abstract
Purpose
The present study seeks to investigate how small firm owners' “poaching” concerns could be overcome so that workforce skills development could be stimulated in such firms.
Design/methodology/approach
The study draws on case‐study work in two small firms in Greece. The data collection tools involved secondary data (e.g. company reports) and in‐depth personal interviews with the two firm owners and seven employees.
Findings
The empirical data revealed that owners in small firms may enhance staff loyalty significantly by placing much emphasis on their management style, as well as by creating a “friendly” atmosphere at work. The interviews indicated that employees in such enterprises seem to place much value on aspects of their working lives other than payment. This includes a supportive and competent owner, increased job autonomy and responsibility, involvement in decision making and a harmonious working climate with few conflicts.
Research limitations/implications
Further empirical studies with a quantitative orientation conducted both in Greece and in other countries could form the basis for generalizing the conclusions of the present study, as well as for insightful cross‐country comparisons with the purpose of identifying ways to stimulate workforce skills development.
Practical implications
The data showed that employees are not willing to risk a “family” atmosphere for more money for fear of losing a satisfying working climate. Such findings indicate that the way employees are managed in small firms requires much more attention by firm owners and a more central place in policy interventions if decision makers are to help such enterprises face the challenges of the future.
Originality/value
The paper provides new insights in an under‐researched area. Specifically, it informs the existing literature on how employee “poaching”, which acts as a key barrier to staff training and learning in the small business context, could be reduced.
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Katrin Schwaiger and Anita Zehrer
Among all forms of commitment, affective commitment has been shown to be the most desirable for enterprises. However, research on commitment among employees in family-run…
Abstract
Purpose
Among all forms of commitment, affective commitment has been shown to be the most desirable for enterprises. However, research on commitment among employees in family-run businesses in the hospitality industry is scant. To address this gap, this study aims to analyze the impact of employer image components on hospitality employees’ affective occupational commitment within family-run businesses. As one can assume specific employer image aspects when studying family-run businesses, this paper expects to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between employer image and employee commitment in this context.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts the employer image framework of Baum and Kabst (2013), emphasizing that in addition to considering potential employees, the commitment of current employees needs to be assessed. Convenience sampling is used to obtain a sample from the target population (Tyrolean hospitality and gastronomy employees) from June to September 2018. Multiple linear regression analysis is applied to test the influence of individual employer image constituents on employees’ affective occupational commitment.
Findings
Among the five components of the employer image framework applied here, working atmosphere, task attractiveness and payment attractiveness show a significant influence on employees’ affective occupational commitment.
Originality/value
This study connects an existing employer image model to employee commitment within the hospitality industry. The findings suggest that the model is applicable to current employees as a key stakeholder group and shows the utility of employer image theory in connection with employee commitment.
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Yuwen Cen, Changfeng Wang and Yaqi Huang
In recent years, counterproductive knowledge behavior (CKB) and its types have received increasing interest in knowledge management as the degree of knowledge sharing and…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, counterproductive knowledge behavior (CKB) and its types have received increasing interest in knowledge management as the degree of knowledge sharing and innovation in enterprises continues to increase. A rapidly growing number of studies have shed light on the important antecedents and consequences of employees’ CKB. However, the various labels, conceptualizations and operationalizations of CKB have fragmented this body of research. This study aims to systematically integrate the effects of the six types of organizational characteristics on CKB and further draws more general conclusions based on the results of previous studies.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a survey of 103 effect values responsible for 52 CKB samples, the authors use the ABC theory to explore the effects of the six types of organizational characteristics on CKB. Moderator analysis were performed to resolve inconsistencies in empirical studies and understand the contexts under which CKB has the strongest or weakest effect.
Findings
The results showed that task interdependence and a positive organizational atmosphere, in general, negatively affect employees’ CKB in the moderation analysis. In contrast, workplace discomfort, negative organizational atmosphere, internal competition and time pressure positively and partly affect employees’ CKB. The direction and magnitude of these effects were affected by emotional factors, knowledge personnel types and sample sources. Discussing the theoretical, methodological and practical implications of these findings can offer a guiding framework for future research.
Originality/value
Better control of employees’ CKB is not achieved by adjusting organizational characteristics alone but by combining personal characteristics and mood changes with it to balance organizational characteristics and CKB. Furthermore, the large-sample joint study integrated the conceptual definition of CKB. The multivariate data study provided more reliable conclusions and a solid theoretical foundation for CKB research areas.
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To explore why women paediatricians have chosen paediatrics as their specialty when previous research has shown that this was the least favourite career option.
Abstract
Purpose
To explore why women paediatricians have chosen paediatrics as their specialty when previous research has shown that this was the least favourite career option.
Design/methodology/approach
In this qualitative study ten semi‐structured interviews with open‐ended questions were carried out. The interviews were taped and transcribed by a professional transcriber. Two tapes could not be transcribed because of technical problems. This dissertation focuses on the responses of the eight women in relation to the research question. Interviews were carried out face‐to‐face. There were no additional questionnaires. Common themes were identified and content analysis used for data analysis.
Findings
All the women felt that they had chosen paediatrics because of the good work atmosphere, supportive colleagues and the attraction of working in a multi‐disciplinary team. All had pursued their career in a dedicated way working full‐time for most of their careers. The women paediatricians interviewed were happy with their career but they realised that they had made sacrifices in terms of family and personal commitments. The work environment has to change for everybody, not just for women, to improve quality of life. Career advice is still thought to be poor and many doctors enter a career without knowing what is expected of them. Modernising medical careers will considerably shorten medical training and the time individuals can spend in a particular specialty.
Originality/value
A qualitative study like this can give both male and female students an insight into what it is like to have a career in paediatrics.
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Siti Raba’ah Hamzah, Siti Nur Syuhada Musa, Zulaiha Muda and Maimunah Ismail
This study aims at investigating the relationship between the quality of working life and career engagement of cancer survivors and the mediating role of the effect of disease and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims at investigating the relationship between the quality of working life and career engagement of cancer survivors and the mediating role of the effect of disease and treatment.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 cancer survivors in Malaysia. The participants, aged between 18 and 40, were Malaysian citizens undergoing follow-up sessions at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital and the National Cancer Institute of Malaysia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis that implemented Baron and Kenny’s method for mediation were used for analyses.
Findings
The effect of treatment and disease was found to significantly mediate the relationship between quality of work-life and career engagement of cancer survivors.
Research limitations/implications
The instrument for this study was a self-reported questionnaire, with participants responding to specific items on a five-point Likert scale under the supervision of the researchers. As results from the survey were subjective in nature, the bias in the participants could not be eliminated completely. This study was also limited to the two main parameters, namely, quality of working life and career engagement and a mediator, namely, effects of the disease and treatment. Moreover, as the survey was conducted in only two hospitals in the Klang Valley area, the results cannot be generalized to other cancer survivors in other regions of Malaysia.
Practical implications
The results of this study indicated that the mediating role of the effects of disease and treatment on the relationship of the quality of working life subscales with career engagement. Practical implications, cancer survivor consciousness of the effects of disease and treatment is very important and should be addressed and could be notable to improve the quality of working life.
Originality/value
This study gives valuable insight to managers and practitioners by investigating the relationship between the quality of working life and career engagement and mediates by the effects of disease and treatment. The findings highlight the challenges cancer survivors face on their return to working life. The findings also highlight the need for management to take steps to help cancer survivors cope with career engagement for better work performance.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate experiences of students when working during the term. The particular aim of the study is to determine central aspects relevant for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate experiences of students when working during the term. The particular aim of the study is to determine central aspects relevant for students when assessing their term‐time job.
Design/methodology/approach
The data are based on a qualitative study conducted at Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany. A number of students were interviewed about various work‐related issues in order to acquire information about common aspects that are frequently referred to when students assess their working experiences in terms of satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
Findings
With regard to the results three central aspects could be raised that were important within the students' assessment of their job: the self‐perception of being a student; the individual motivation to work during the term, and; social aspects like working atmosphere and social integration.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to the fact that it was conducted with German students the study only reflects the specific context of German higher education and German companies' use and treatment of students as flexible employees.
Practical implications
Students' experiences as flexible workers together with the experienced reality of their fellow non‐standard employees provide them with first‐hand knowledge about the working situation of those employees. Universities should constitute the basis for reflecting experiences at work, link them to already existing research in this field and help students to draw conclusions for their future professional life as managers.
Originality/value
The study adds to the knowledge of how students perceive their term‐time job. In particular it highlights the influence of self‐identity, motivation and social aspects to students' satisfaction and dissatisfaction at work. It contributes to the few studies focusing on the experiences students have as flexible employees.
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