Search results
1 – 10 of over 3000Minette Bellingan, Catherine Tilley, Mukesh Kumar, Luciano Batista and Steve Evans
Companies are concerned about the well-being of workers in their supply chains, but conventional audits fail to uncover critical problems. Yet, if the happy worker – productive…
Abstract
Purpose
Companies are concerned about the well-being of workers in their supply chains, but conventional audits fail to uncover critical problems. Yet, if the happy worker – productive worker thesis is correct, it would benefit factories in fast-developing countries, particularly China which is key to many global supply chains, to ensure the well-being of their workers. The authors set out to better understand the relationship between well-being and performance in four Chinese factories.
Design/methodology/approach
Over 12-months the authors collected digital diaries from 466 workers in four factories, and monthly data about the performance of their factories. The authors used this data to gain insights into the well-being of workers in these factories; to design experimental interventions to improve this; and to consider any effects these had on factory performance.
Findings
The experiments showed that training interventions to improve workers' well-being through their work relationships and individual skills improved not just a factory's general worker well-being, but also some aspects of its performance and worker retention. Thus, it brought benefits not only for the workers but also for the factory owners and their client companies.
Originality/value
While there is a significant body of research investigating the happy worker – productive worker thesis, this was not conducted in Chinese factories. The authors’ work demonstrates that in this and similar environments, workers' eudaimonic well-being is more important than might be assumed, and that in this context there is a relationship between well-being and performance which can be practically addressed.
Details
Keywords
Azka Umair, Kieran Conboy and Eoin Whelan
Online labour markets (OLMs) have recently become a widespread phenomenon of digital work. While the implications of OLMs on worker well-being are hotly debated, little empirical…
Abstract
Purpose
Online labour markets (OLMs) have recently become a widespread phenomenon of digital work. While the implications of OLMs on worker well-being are hotly debated, little empirical research examines the impact of such work on individuals. The highly competitive and fast-paced nature of OLMs compels workers to multitask and to perform intense technology-enabled work, which can potentially enhance technostress. This paper examines the antecedents and well-being consequences of technostress arising from work in OLMs.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors draw from person–environment fit theory and job characteristics theory and test a research model of the antecedents and consequences of worker technostress in OLMs. Data were gathered from 366 workers in a popular OLM through a large-scale online survey. Structural equation modelling was used to evaluate the research model.
Findings
The findings extend existing research by validating the relationships between specific OLM characteristics and strain. Contrary to previous literature, the results indicate a link between technology complexity and work overload in OLMs. Furthermore, in OLMs, feedback is positively associated with work overload and job insecurity, while strain directly influences workers' negative affective well-being and discontinuous intention.
Originality/value
This study contributes to technostress literature by developing and testing a research model relevant to a new form of work conducted through OLMs. The authors expand the current research on technostress by integrating job characteristics as new antecedents to technostress and demonstrating its impact on different types of subjective well-being and discontinuous intention. In addition, while examining the impact of technostressors on outcomes, the authors consider their impact at the individual level (disaggregated approach) to capture the subtlety involved in understanding technostressors' unique relationships with outcomes.
Details
Keywords
Loan Ngoc Tuong Pham, Duong Tuan Nguyen, An Hoang Kim Vo and Lam Dang Nguyen
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how perceived organisational support (POS) enhances the well-being of migrant workers in Taiwan by strengthening their resilience. In…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how perceived organisational support (POS) enhances the well-being of migrant workers in Taiwan by strengthening their resilience. In addition, the moderating role of ethical leadership in this association was investigated based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were gathered from migrant workers from Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines with structured questionnaires during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 420 samples were analysed by testing the mediation and moderation model.
Findings
The results showed a significant effect of POS on migrant workers' well-being in Taiwan through the mediating role of resilience. Moreover, ethical leadership moderated the effect of POS on employee resilience and work well-being.
Research limitations/implications
The sample was restricted to Southeast Asian migrant workers who were employed in industrial sectors in Taiwan. The study considered several demographic variables, including language proficiency, nationality and marital status, which could result in cultural and language biases. A cross-sectional design and self-reported data were utilised, which could potentially create common method variance biases and inflated correlations across the research variables.
Practical implications
The present study may be helpful to organisational leaders in the process of designing approaches for promoting a people-oriented and harmonious workplace. Employee well-being can be strengthened through employee resilience (individual factors), as well as POS and ethical leadership (organisational factors).
Originality/value
This study supports the use of COR theory in confirming POS as a resource that strengthens employees' resilience capabilities and work well-being. Employee resilience serves as a mediator of the relationship between POS and employee well-being. Ethical leadership serves as a moderator in strengthening the relationships between POS and employee resilience, as well as between POS and work well-being of migrant workers.
Details
Keywords
José Ignacio Giménez-Nadal, José Alberto Molina and Almudena Sevilla
This chapter analyzes detailed 24-hour diary data from the United States to provide evidence on the relationship between workers' effort and well-being while at work. In doing so…
Abstract
This chapter analyzes detailed 24-hour diary data from the United States to provide evidence on the relationship between workers' effort and well-being while at work. In doing so, we first measure workers' effort in terms of the amount of on-the-job leisure, number of on-the-job leisure episodes, and the time working until consuming on-the-job leisure. Second, we link these three measures of worker effort to data on instantaneous well-being while at work. We find that the less time devoted to on-the-job leisure and the number of on-the-job leisure episodes, and the more time workers spend working until on-the-job-leisure, the higher the levels of stress during their work tasks. In analyzing workers' effort and stress during market work activities, we contribute to the scant literature on the determinants of worker happiness while at work, positing the consumption and the frequency of on-the-job leisure as affective factors.
Details
Keywords
Kenneth Lawani, Billy Hare, Michael Tong and Iain Cameron
Over 2.7 million workers are employed in the UK construction industry and with the fragmented nature of the construction sector; cases of poor mental health of workers are on the…
Abstract
Purpose
Over 2.7 million workers are employed in the UK construction industry and with the fragmented nature of the construction sector; cases of poor mental health of workers are on the increase. This upsurge in the number of workers experiencing poor mental health could directly impact construction safety with significant financial adverse consequences on employers and the UK economy. Studies have identified lapses within the construction sector emphasising the lack of transparency regarding reporting of mental health and well-being of construction workers due to the inadequate engagement from employers and the lack of genuine leadership commitment to tackle mental health.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a non-probability purposive sampling strategy, using a self-selected sample. A self-administered questionnaire benchmarked against the mental health core and enhanced standards tools by the “Stevenson/Farmer review of mental health and employers” served as the basis for the methodology. A total of 106 industry managers from highways, construction, maritime, utilities, home building, rail and haulage/fleet were involved in this study.
Findings
The findings indicate that the industry is making good strides towards addressing mental health issues; poor mental health have significant financial burdens on businesses and the economy; some contractors have mental health initiatives and programmes in place; there is inconsistency of support available to employees; some contractors now integrate leadership training; the level of engagement vary based on the strategy and action plan adopted by organisations; different mechanisms are adopted for monitoring mental health issues, and there are cross-industry initiatives.
Research limitations/implications
A limitation of this study is the number of participants which is not representative of the entire UK construction workforce. Therefore, the findings from this study as much as it presents some understanding of employee mental health and well-being cannot be overtly generalised across multiple industries, different geographic regions or contexts.
Originality/value
Employers should have a clear representation of the mental health of their employees to help them understand what affects worker’s mental well-being and how they can support them. Disregarding the multifaceted causes of mental ill-health due to the perceived financial implications could be more devastating for the industry.
Details
Keywords
Julia Aubouin-Bonnaventure, Séverine Chevalier, Fadi-Joseph Lahiani and Evelyne Fouquereau
The post-COVID-19 era is characterised in the professional field by a deterioration in the psychological health of employees and by “The Great Resignation”. These phenomena…
Abstract
Purpose
The post-COVID-19 era is characterised in the professional field by a deterioration in the psychological health of employees and by “The Great Resignation”. These phenomena require managers to rethink both organisational and HR strategies to protect their workers’ health, to retain them in their job and, in fine, to ensure the sustainability of the organisation. However, studies have demonstrated that high performance work systems (HPWS), which are currently the dominant approach in human resource management, are related to an intensification of work and consequently a deterioration of employees’ health (conflicting outcomes perspective). At the same time, workers’ well-being has been shown to be associated with numerous organisational outcomes, such as individual performance. However, relatively few articles have investigated win–win organisational practices or programmes that promote the well-being and consequently performance of workers. These include virtuous organisational practices (VOPs), which specifically aim to enhance employees’ well-being, considered not as a means to an end, but as an end in itself (mutual gains perspective). This paper aims to develop the general hypothesis that VOPs could increase employees’ performance by protecting their health and thus offer an alternative to HPWS.
Design/methodology/approach
We review relevant current research on psychological well-being and work performance and present innovative systems of organisational practices such as VOPs that create psychologically healthy workplaces and enhance workers’ optimal functioning (well-being and performance).
Findings
Based on theoretical arguments and empirical studies, we hypothesise that alternative practices such as VOPs can increase employees’ performance while protecting their health and encouraging them to stay in the organisation.
Research limitations/implications
After this review, we discuss future avenues for research to encourage the scientific community to test this hypothesis.
Practical implications
Finally, we make a number of specific recommendations about how to (1) appraise, design and implement VOPs, (2) enhance organisational communication and managerial adherence to VOPs, and (3) train managers in R.I.G.H.T leadership behaviours.
Originality/value
Presentation of an original approach in this research field: the VOPs.
Details
Keywords
Francisco Javier Alvarez-Torres and Giovanni Schiuma
A new type of digital-based worker emerged during the COVID-19. As a result, during the adjustment to this scenario, family, resources and emotions were impacted. Technological…
Abstract
Purpose
A new type of digital-based worker emerged during the COVID-19. As a result, during the adjustment to this scenario, family, resources and emotions were impacted. Technological and emotional skills were crucial to give continuity and certainty to business. However, despite benefits, remote working has negative consequences, especially in well-being perception. This study proposes a model to measure the impact on the well-being perception of workers that adapted their job to remote positions during a pandemic and offers a valuable framework to understand future emerging changes in remote working and the relationship with well-being perception, especially during crisis scenarios.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used an online questionnaire and a structural equation methodology by partial least squares (PLS) using SmartPLS 3.3.3. Data were obtained from 567 respondents workers who adapted to their jobs during the pandemic in Mexico.
Findings
The results showed that six model dimensions: human relations (RH), emotions (E), well-being behaviors related to Covid-19 (CB), family economics (EF), routines and habits (RS) and family life (VF) were positive and significant to reflect the Index of Perception of Well-being (iWB) using a structural equation model. This indicates how the lockdown process changed people's perception of well-being and concerns. According with this, for remote working employees, two dimensions were relevant: RH and EF. This finding is relevant because during emergency lockdown, these workers needed to adapt their activities and were separated from all human interactions.
Practical implications
The researchers’ model of Index of Perception of Well-being (iWB) has conceptual and practical implications. From a conceptual point of view, it offers a methodology to measure the relationships between remote working and employees' well-being perception. While for practice, it offers managerial implications to better manage remote working adaptation without compromising people's well-being to create future innovation management environments (IME) for organizations.
Originality/value
This study contributes to develop research about changes in workers' well-being perception during digital adaptation.
Details
Keywords
Paula Martins Nunes, Teresa Proença and Mauro Enrique Carozzo-Todaro
No systematic review has previously been dedicated to comprehensively investigate predictors of well-being and ill-being in working contexts. Empirical studies have vastly…
Abstract
Purpose
No systematic review has previously been dedicated to comprehensively investigate predictors of well-being and ill-being in working contexts. Empirical studies have vastly associated well-being as the result of autonomous motivation and basic psychological needs satisfaction, while frustration results in ill-being. The purpose of this study is to integrate the variables identified in empirical studies associated with the occurrence of the phenomena, individual/organizational features and consequences associated with workers' well-being/ill-being.
Design/methodology/approach
This systematic review includes 44 empirical studies published up to February 2021. Findings are summarized based on quantitative analysis of the evidence.
Findings
Results reinforce the role of self-determined motivation and needs satisfaction in promoting well-being, while amotivation and needs frustration led to ill-being. Besides, they indicate that ill-being can both lead to negative consequences and diminish positive work outcomes. Findings also revealed that: integrated motivation does not seem to be empirically distinct from intrinsic and identified motivation in promoting well-being; introjected motivated behaviors may be less harmful to psychological health than externally oriented ones; the relationship between external motivation and well-being/ill-being requires prospective investigations; and amotivation seems to have a detrimental effect in workers' psychological health.
Practical implications
Results provide practical information for HRM practitioners to design work environments and practices that promote employees' psychological health.
Originality/value
An unprecedented framework that aggregates empirical findings regarding the antecedents, predictors and consequences of ill-being/well-being in working contexts is presented.
Details
Keywords
Elizabeth Agyeiwaah, Prosper Bangwayo-Skeete and Emmanuel Kwame Opoku
Building on the social exchange theory, this study aims to investigate the impact of perceived workgroup inclusion on migrant subjective well-being, organization identification…
Abstract
Purpose
Building on the social exchange theory, this study aims to investigate the impact of perceived workgroup inclusion on migrant subjective well-being, organization identification and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB).
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation modeling was applied to 440 surveyed migrant workers in Macau’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Findings
Perceived workgroup inclusion has a positive influence on migrant workers’ subjective well-being and organizational identification, which both in turn positively affect their OCBs.
Originality/value
Based on the social exchange theory, this study formulates a model that explains how migrant workers' inclusion impacts their well-being, identification and organizational behaviors. It provides theoretical and practical insights into how migrant workers’ inclusion could serve as a talent management strategy that promotes OCBs.
设计/方法/方法
采用结构方程模型对440名澳门旅游和服务业流动劳工进行了分析。
目的
基于社会交换理论, 本研究旨在探讨感知工作小组融入对流动劳工主观幸福感、组织认同、组织公民行为的影响。
调查结果
感知工作组融入对流动劳工的主观幸福感和组织认同有正向影响, 而反过来这两者都积极影响它们的组织公民行为。
创意/价值
本研究基于社会交换理论, 建构了流动劳工融入对其幸福感、认同和组织行为的影响模型。它为流动劳工融入如何成为促进组织公民行为的人才管理战略提供了理论和实践见解。
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Se aplicó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales a 440 trabajadores inmigrantes encuestados en la industria del turismo y la hostelería de Macao.
Objetivo
Partiendo de la teoría del intercambio social, este estudio pretende investigar el impacto de la inclusión percibida en el grupo de trabajo sobre el bienestar subjetivo de los inmigrantes, la identificación con la organización y el comportamiento de ciudadanía organizativa (OCB).
Conclusiones
La inclusión percibida en el grupo de trabajo influye positivamente en el bienestar subjetivo de los trabajadores inmigrantes y en su identificación con la organización, lo que a su vez afecta positivamente a su OCB.
Originalidad/valor
Basándose en la teoría del intercambio social, este estudio formula un modelo que explica cómo la inclusión de los trabajadores inmigrantes influye en su bienestar, su identificación y sus comportamientos organizativos. Aporta ideas teóricas y prácticas sobre cómo la inclusión de los trabajadores inmigrantes podría servir como estrategia de gestión del talento que promueva los OCB.
Details
Keywords
- Workgroup inclusion
- Subjective well-being
- Organizational identification
- Migrant workers
- Organizational citizenship behavior
- Social exchange theory
- :工作组融入
- 主观幸福感
- 组织认同
- 流动人员
- 组织公民行为
- 社会交换理论
- Inclusión en el grupo de trabajo
- Bienestar subjetivo
- Identificación organizativa
- trabajadores inmigrantes
- Comportamiento de ciudadanía organizativa
- Teoría del intercambio social
The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between remote work and subjective well-being and the potential moderating role of gender, household size and childcare.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between remote work and subjective well-being and the potential moderating role of gender, household size and childcare.
Design/methodology/approach
The current research used data from the 2016 and 2020 editions of the Survey on Household Income and Wealth (SHIW) of the Bank of Italy. Italian workers were asked to report their subjective well-being and how many days per month they work remotely (at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic). Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were conducted on a sample of 1.103 and 184 participants, respectively.
Findings
After controlling for the effects of gender, age, education and perceived economic condition, ordered probit models revealed that the relationship between remote work and subjective well-being was nonsignificant. Moreover, gender, household size and childcare did not play a moderating role in the relationship between remote work and subjective well-being.
Practical implications
The findings of the current study suggest that an individualized approach is required to maximize the possible benefits of remote work.
Originality/value
The potential positive effects of remote work on subjective well-being might be overestimated.
Details