What matters for knowledge work productivity?

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miikka Palvalin
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Knowledge Worker ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Knowledge Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Work Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
What Matters

Purpose Knowledge work productivity is a well-studied topic in the existing literature, but it has focussed mainly on two things. First, there are many theoretical models lacking empirical research, and second, there is a very specific research regarding how something impacts productivity. The purpose of this paper is to collect empirical data and test the conceptual model of knowledge work productivity in practice. The paper also provides information on how different drivers of knowledge work productivity have an impact on productivity. Design/methodology/approach Through the survey method, data were collected from 998 knowledge workers from Finland. Then, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the knowledge work productivity dimensions of the conceptual model. Later, regression analysis was used to analyse the impacts of knowledge factors on productivity. Findings This paper increases the understanding of what matters for knowledge work productivity, with statistical analysis. The conceptual model of knowledge work productivity consists of two major elements: the knowledge worker and the work environment. The study results showed that the knowledge worker has the biggest impact on productivity through his or her well-being and work practices. The social environment was also found to be a significant driver. The results could not confirm or refute the role of the physical or virtual environment in knowledge work productivity. Practical implications The practical value of the study lies in the analysis results. The information generated about the factors impacting productivity can be used to improve knowledge work productivity. In addition, the limited resources available for organisational development will have the greatest return if they are used to increase intangible assets, i.e., management and work practices. Originality/value While it is well known that many factors are essential for knowledge work productivity, relatively few studies have examined it from as many dimensions at the same time as this study. This study adds value to the literature by providing information on which factors have the greatest influence on productivity.

SmartWoW – constructing a tool for knowledge work performance analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miikka Palvalin ◽  
Maiju Vuolle ◽  
Aki Jääskeläinen ◽  
Harri Laihonen ◽  
Antti Lönnqvist
Keyword(s):  
Work Performance ◽  
Knowledge Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Work Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
New Ways Of Working ◽  
Novel Approach

Purpose – New Ways of Working (NewWoW) refers to a novel approach for improving the performance of knowledge work. The purpose of this paper is to seek innovative solutions concerning facilities, information technology tools and work practices in order to be able to “work smarter, not harder.” In order to develop work practices toward the NewWoW mode there is a need for an analytical management tool that would help assess the status of the organization’s current work practices and demonstrate the impacts of development initiatives. This paper introduces such a tool. Design/methodology/approach – Constructive research approach was chosen to guide the development of the Smart ways of working (SmartWoW) tool. The tool was designed on the basis of previous knowledge work performance literature as well as on interviews in two knowledge-intensive organizations. The usefulness of the tool was verified by applying it in four organizations. Findings – SmartWoW is a compact questionnaire tool for analyzing and measuring knowledge work at the individual level. The questionnaire consists of four areas: work environment, personal work practices, well-being at work and productivity. As SmartWoW is a standardized tool its results are comparable between organizations. Research limitations/implications – SmartWoW was designed a pragmatic managerial tool. It is considered possible that it can be valuable as a research instrument as well but the current limited amount of collected data does not yet facilitate determining its usefulness from that perspective. Originality/value – This paper makes a contribution to the existing literature on knowledge work measurement and management by introducing an analytical tool which takes into account the NewWoW perspective.

Trauma-informed servant leadership in health and social care settings

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryl Mahon
Keyword(s):  
Servant Leadership ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Trauma Informed

Purpose Practitioners, organisations and policy makers in health and social care settings are increasingly recognising the need for trauma-informed approaches in organisational settings, with morbidity and financial burdens a growing concern over the past few years. Servant leadership has a unique focus on emotional healing, service to others as the first priority, in addition to the growth, well-being and personal and professional development of key stakeholders. This paper aims to discuss Trauma Informed Servant Leadership (TISL). Design/methodology/approach A targeted review of the servant leadership and trauma-informed care literature was conducted. Relevant studies, including systematic review and meta-analysis, were sourced, with the resulting interpretation informing the conceptual model. Findings Although there are general guidelines regarding how to go about instituting trauma-informed approaches, with calls for organisational leadership to adapt the often cited six trauma-informed principles, to date there has not been a leadership approach elucidated which takes as its starting point and core feature to be trauma informed. At the same time, there is a paucity of research elucidating trauma outcomes for service users or employees in the literature when a trauma-informed approach is used. However, there is a large body of evidence indicating that servant leadership has many of the outcomes at the employee level that trauma-informed approaches are attempting to attain. Thus, the author builds on a previous conceptual paper in which a model of servant leadership and servant leadership supervision are proposed to mitigate against compassion fatigue and secondary trauma in the health and social care sector. The author extends that research to this paper by recasting servant leadership as a trauma-informed model of leadership that naturally operationalises trauma-informed principles. Research limitations/implications A lack of primary data limits the extent to which conclusions can be drawn on the effectiveness of this conceptual model. However, the model is based on robust research across the differential components used; therefore, it can act as a framework for future empirical research designs to be studies at the organisational level. Both the servant leadership and trauma-informed literatures have been extended with the addition of this model. Practical implications TISL can complement the trauma-informed approach and may also be viable as an alternative to trauma-informed approaches. This paper offers guidelines to practitioners and organisations in health and social care on how to operationalise important trauma-informed principles through leadership. Social implications This conceptual model may help reduce the burden of trauma and re-traumatisation encountered by practitioners and service users in health and social care settings, impacting on morbidity. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is a novel approach, the first of its kind.

Predicting place attachment through selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Okki Trinanda ◽  
Astri Yuza Sari ◽  
Efni Cerya ◽  
Tri Rachmat Riski
Keyword(s):  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Place Attachment ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourism Experience ◽  
Meaningful Experiences ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Selfie tourism is a fast-growing phenomenon. Given the convenience of photo-snapping and photo-sharing on social media, selfie tourism is seen as an emerging trend among travelers. This phenomenon gave consequence toward travelers’ behavior, especially on how it can affect their memorable tourism experience and place attachment. This paper aims to examine the relationship between selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience, hedonic well-being and travelers’ place attachment. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered survey method is used. This research was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, consequently, the data were collected via Google Form (online). The respondents are tourists who have visited various tourism destinations in West Sumatera, Indonesia. To test the hypotheses of this study, questionnaires are distributed to 450 respondents. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling. Findings The results of this study shows that selfie tourism has a positive and significant relationship toward both memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being. In addition, memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being also have a significant relationship with place attachment. Research limitations/implications The limitation of this study lies in the limited reference to the relationship between selfie tourism and memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being, because this is the first study to examine the relationship of these variables. This study also has not tested the direct relationship between selfie tourism and place attachment and has not considered eudaemonic well-being as an antecedent of place attachment. Further research will discuss the direct effect of selfie tourism and eudaemonic experience on place attachment, as well as the moderating effect of memorable tourism and hedonic well-being. Practical implications This study shows the benefits obtained by tourism managers in preparing selfie facilities, as well as the ability to create meaningful experiences. It provides tourism practitioners with an understanding that tourist place attachment can be improved by both memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being. Furthermore, both memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being can be affected by selfie tourism. This understanding can enhance the tourism providers’ strategy to improve services that fit the characteristics of today’s tourists. Therefore, selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being can support tourism sustainability, especially in creating place attachments. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies that investigated the relationship between selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience and place attachment. From a market-specific context, this is also the first study that investigated the antecedents of place attachment on West Sumatera’s tourism.

scholarly journals A field survey of hand–arm vibration exposure in the UK utilities sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 2179-2198 ◽  
Author(s):  
David John Edwards ◽  
Iain Rillie ◽  
Nicholas Chileshe ◽  
Joesph Lai ◽  
M. Reza Hosseini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Senior Management ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Health And Well Being

PurposeExcessive exposure to HAV can lead to hand–arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) which is a major health and well-being issue that can irreparably damage the neurological, vascular and muscular skeletal system. This paper reports upon field research analysis of the hand–arm vibration (HAV) exposure levels of utility workers in the UK construction sector when operating hand-held vibrating power tools.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical epistemological lens was adopted to analyse primary quantitative data on the management of hand-held tool trigger times (seconds) collected from field studies. To augment the analysis further, an interpretivist perspective was undertaken to qualitatively analyse interviews held with the participating company's senior management team after field study results. This approach sought to provide further depth and perspective on the emergent numerical findings.FindingsThe findings reveal that none of the operatives were exposed above the exposure limit value (ELV) and that 91.07% resided under the exposure action value (EAV). However, the Burr four parameter probability model (which satisfied the Anderson–Darling, Kolmogorov–Smirnov and chi-squared goodness of fit tests at α 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 levels of significance) illustrated that given the current data distribution pattern, there was a 3% likelihood that the ELV will be exceeded. Model parameters could be used to: forecast the future probability of HAV exposure levels on other utility contracts and provide benchmark indicators to alert senior management to pending breaches of the ELV.Originality/valueHAV field trials are rarely conducted within the UK utilities sector, and the research presented is the first to develop probability models to predict the likelihood of operatives exceeding the ELV based upon field data. Findings presented could go some way to preserving the health and well-being of workers by ensuing that adequate control measures implemented (e.g. procuring low vibrating tools) mitigate the risk posed.

scholarly journals Decent work: what matters most and who can make a difference?

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 845-861
Author(s):  
Stephen Gibb ◽  
Mohammed Ishaq
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Wage ◽  
National Context ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Work Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
What Matters

PurposeWhat matters most for improving work quality and who can make a difference are perennial topics in employee relations research. The literature on work quality provides answers to these with regard to various constructs on a continuum from “soft” to “hard” variables and stakeholders seeking to influence employers who fall short of reasonable expectations with regard to these. A construct of “decent work” with both soft and hard variables was adopted for research and methods which were collaborative and participative with stakeholders in one national context.Design/methodology/approachThe “decent work” construct was operationalised from the literature and refined by collaborative and participative research. Exploring the relative importance of the constituent parts of decent work involved research with a range of stakeholders; employees, employers and advocates. The study involved most prominently low-paid workers, with employers and advocates also engaged through interviews.FindingsPrimarily hard “decent work” variables were identified among employees, primarily soft variables among employers and a mix of hard and soft among advocates. There are some common priorities across these stakeholders.Research limitations/implicationsThe main implication is that to engage a range of stakeholders requires a combination of soft and hard variables to be included in research and policy development. However, generalisation about what matters most and who makes a difference to work quality is intrinsically limited in context and time. In this research, the extent of employer engagement in the collaboration initiated by advocates and concerned most with the experiences of low-paid workers is a limitation.Practical implicationsWhat matters most are a set of soft and hard priorities to engage across stakeholders. Pay is an abiding priority among these and the priority most prominent for many advocates seeking to make a difference through influencing low-paying employers to provide a living wage. While the living wage is a significant focus for work quality, it is not in itself sufficient, as other soft and hard variables in the workplace matter as well. Those who can make a difference are the employers falling short of benchmark standards. Influence on these may emerge through decent work knowledge and skills in management and professional development programmes as well as in initiatives advocating wider adoption of the living wage.Social implicationsProblem areas of work quality, and problem employers, can be influenced by strategies shaping “hard” factors, including legislation. This needs to be complemented and integrated with strategies on “soft” factors, including identifying positive role models on themes of well-being, work–life balance and precarious forms of employment, as well as pay.Originality/valueThe identification of what matters and who can make a difference is based on an original, collaborative, research project, in one national context, offering analytical generalisability about “decent work” and an experience of collaborative research.

SME network relationships and competitive strategies in the agri-food sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Camanzi ◽  
Carlo Giua
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Competitive Strategy ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Business Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Relationships ◽  
Study Results

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the main factors influencing agri-food small and medium enterprises (SMEs) participation in business networks and to evaluate the impacts of these factors on network structure and the ensuing competitive strategy. Design/methodology/approach The study is articulated in four main steps. First, a critical literature review is conducted concerning the main approaches to firm competitive advantage and the role of stakeholder relationships. Then, three research questions are formulated and discussed in the light of two case studies describing the implementation of an innovative contractual solution in Italy (i.e. business network contracts). Finally, based on these findings, a set of more general “propositions” are stated and included in a provisional conceptual model that schematically depicts an integrated vision of the antecedents and mechanisms influencing SMEs business network structure and competitive strategy. Findings The study results pointed out the opportunity to adopt an integrated approach, combining resource-based view and stakeholder causal scope approaches. The provisional conceptual model proposed illustrates the role of both external and internal resources and relational constructs to shaping network structure and competitive strategy. Originality/value The study’s contribution is twofold. First, the empirical study shed light on opportunities and limits of two business networks with different backgrounds, approaches and outcomes towards value creation. Second, the conceptual framework proposed advances our understanding and knowledge of the factors and mechanisms influencing SMEs business network structure and competitive strategy.

Slowing work down by teleworking periodically in rural settings?

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Vesala ◽  
Seppo Tuomivaara
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Time Pressure ◽  
Knowledge Workers ◽  
Knowledge Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Occupational Position ◽  
Work Related ◽  
As Stress

Purpose – The rise of knowledge work has entailed controversial characteristics for well-being at work. Increased intensification, discontinuities and interruptions at work have been reported. However, knowledge workers have the opportunity to flexibly adjust their work arrangements to support their concentration, inspiration or recuperation. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the experienced well-being of 46 knowledge workers was subject to changes during and after a retreat type telework period in rural archipelago environment. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a longitudinal survey among the participants at three points in time: one to three weeks before, during, and two to eight weeks after the period. The authors analyzed the experienced changes in psychosocial work environment and well-being at work by the measurement period by means of repeated measures variance analysis. In the next step the authors included the group variable of occupational position to the model. Findings – The analysis showed a decrease in the following measures: experienced time pressure, interruptions, negative feelings at work, exhaustiveness of work as well as stress and an increase in work satisfaction. There were no changes in experienced job influence, clarity of work goals and work engagement. Occupational position had some effect to the changes. Private entrepreneurs and supervisors experienced more remarkable effects of improvement in work-related well-being than subordinates. However, the effects were less sustainable for the supervisors than the other two groups. Originality/value – This paper provides insights into how work and well-being are affected by the immediate work environment and how well-being at work can be supported by retreat type telework arrangements.

New approach to leadership skills development (developing a model and measure)

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 821-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shadi Ebrahimi Mehrabani ◽  
Noor Azmi Mohamad
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Organizational Effectiveness ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Moderator Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a leadership skills development model and measure, based on its effect on organizational effectiveness and moderator effect of knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach – Using the survey method, this paper investigates the validation of measures and model of the study. It tests the reliability and constructs validity of a leadership skills development measurement scale, created on the basis of the existing measures of leadership, organizational effectiveness and knowledge sharing. This scale is harmonized with transformational, transactional and servant leadership theories. Findings – A structural model and measure of leadership skills development is proposed. Research limitations/implications – This study is limited by its particular population; therefore, future research need to be done to illustrate whether the current results can be generalized with other samples from different situations and cultures. Originality/value – The paper provides an in depth review of leadership development, as well as developing a theory-based model and a valid and reliable questionnaire, which measures leadership skills development, effectiveness and knowledge sharing. The study results could improve the future empirical leadership development research.

An integrated adoption model for Islamic credit card: PLS-SEM based approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dariyoush Jamshidi ◽  
Nazimah Hussin
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Credit Card ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
The Body ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Usage Behavior

PurposeOne challenge when launching new banking services is to overcome resistance to change so as to accelerate market acceptance. This is the case of Islamic credit card (ICC). In response, this study aims to develop a conceptual framework that combines the innovation diffusion theory (IDT) and the theory of reasoned action (TRA) with religious obligation and customer awareness to explain behavior intention and usage behavior of ICC. Design/methodology/approachTo test the conceptual model, the data are collected from 649 bank customers in Malaysia, and the structural equation modeling technique is used to test the forecasting model. FindingsThe study results support some relationships of IDT and TRA, such as relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability, attitude and also the customer awareness as a stronger predictor of intention of ICC. Originality/valueTo the author’s knowledge, there have not been any attempt to develop a conceptual model for identifying the factors that influence the adoption of ICC by integrating IDT and TRA and other added measures. Therefore, this study adds to the body of knowledge regarding ICC adoption studies by extending the IDT in this domain and integrating it with TRA as two well-established models in the area of acceptance and usage behavior studies.

Does experience with agricultural loans improve farmers' well-being? Evidence from Benin

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicaise Sheila M. Sagbo ◽  
Yoko Kusunose
Keyword(s):  
Causal Effect ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Entry Timing ◽  
Pipeline Design ◽  
Matching Techniques

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effect of loans provided by Benin's largest microlender.Design/methodology/approachA pipeline design and matching techniques contribute for identifying the causal effect. The loan treatment considered is loan experience. It includes program entry timing, take-up frequency and the amount obtained over six years. The study uses a cluster analysis to create comparison groups.FindingsExperience with agricultural loans has a statistically significantly positive effect on recipients' farm income, food security and women's empowerment. Though unusual, these positive results can be credited to the very low rate of loan repurposing and mostly to the lender's rigorous loan implementation strategy.Practical implicationsThe study results validate the hypothesis underlying development strategies that target women regarding loan programs. The study provides a simple yet valuable lesson for future credit impact evaluations: the context of the loan program as well as the evaluation indicators is essential.Social implicationsThis study’s findings suggest that microcredit, when offered judiciously and with support, can improve farmers' conditions.Originality/valueGiven the relatively long period studied, the analysis has been innovative in defining loan treatment and creating reliable treatment groups. Also to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind in Benin.

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