Activity-based work and its implications for the academic work environment

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuija Muhonen ◽  
Hanne Berthelsen

PurposeThe aim of the current interview study was to investigate how the university staff and their immediate managers perceived the academic work environment after a transition to activity-based workplaces (ABW).Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted with 11 university lecturers/researchers and 12 academic middle managers, that is, heads of departments or units in a Swedish university.FindingsThe qualitative content analysis revealed four central themes indicating how the academic environment had been affected: challenges related to decision-making and implementation of ABW, interpersonal relations and communication, consequences for academic identity and issues related to the physical work environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe non-purposive sampling of participants coming from a single university is a limitation of the current study. More studies are needed to deepen the knowledge and to further corroborate the transferability of the findings.Practical implicationsThe savings the universities expect to achieve in terms of reduced costs for premises, when introducing ABW, may lead to other kinds of costs, such as jeopardizing employee performance, comfort and well-being. It is therefore important that the academic staff is empowered and involved during the planning and implementation process of new offices.Originality/valueThe study contributes new knowledge concerning implementation of ABW and its consequences for the academic work environment.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fruzsina Pataki-Bittó ◽  
Kata Kapusy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to find out the future workforce’s work values and, based on them, to examine the work environment Generation Z are looking for in the situation of job search. Moreover, this study aims to provide ideas for organizations on how to transform the work environment for the post-COVID-19 era to attract and retain employees, especially the members of Generation Z. Design/methodology/approach The research design is based on the theory development method. Data were generated and collected from 28 focus groups and a survey (n = 773). First, initial coding was done with an affinity diagram, followed by the intermediate coding phase, when the authors compared the codings’ results and selected the core data. Finally, the advanced coding resulted in a work value model, which presents Generation Z’s core work value categories. Findings The paper presents a work value theory for Generation Z, which reflects their expectations of the physical work environment and the flexible work arrangements among the work values. To prepare for the post-COVID-19 era, this study suggests organizations applying hybrid working models. Practical implications Based on impacts and expected transformations in office work in the post-COVID-19 era, the paper calls attention to the critical management issues concerning Generation Z’s preferences and expectations. Originality/value The findings propose a broader work value theory approach that highlights the work environment’s convenience features and integrates values that support the employees’ desired lifestyle and well-being.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Åsa Vidman ◽  
Annika Strömberg

Purpose Recruiting and retaining staff to work with elderly people in social care is a global issue. The quality of leadership is considered important because it influences employees’ job satisfaction, job turnover and health. This paper aims to identify leadership that employees in residential elderly care facilities in Sweden consider as contributing towards a healthy work environment. Design/methodology/approach The authors interviewed 14 persons employed in facilities organized in different ways. The data from these interviews was analysed using qualitative content analysis.. Findings The results showed that the employees felt that their health partly depended on the attributes that leaders possessed, what leaders do and how leaders do it. This study confirms that leadership influences the perception of a healthy workplace. It also shows that questions about leadership are complex. Originality/value Research about factors that increase health risks is wide-ranging; however, research that examines factors that promote health, especially how leadership influences employees’ well-being, is not as comprehensive.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 422-437
Author(s):  
Lindsay J. McCunn ◽  
Jeremy Wright

Purpose An interdisciplinary body of literature has focused on the role of lighting in mitigating patient and employee stress and error-producing conditions in hospital settings. The purpose of this study is to explore how a new circadian lighting system installed in a small pharmacy unit with no penetration of natural light is experienced by staff. Psychosocial variables, such as affective organizational commitment, perceived productivity, well-being, and satisfaction with the physical work environment, were measured to further a line of inquiry that may help facilities managers and hospital administrators make optimal choices when purchasing lighting and commissioning retrofits. Design/methodology/approach Post-occupancy evaluation; mixed methods survey design. Findings While affective organizational commitment, perceived productivity, well-being and satisfaction with the physical work environment were experienced, to some extent, by employees, low average responses about whether the setting had improved, as the circadian lighting had been installed suggest that the retrofit did not affect them as positively as expected. Counter to the intention of the installation, participants did not perceive the circadian lighting as having strongly improved their levels of stress, concentration, mood or fatigue at work. Originality/value More research on simulated daylighting should be done to optimize occupant responses to lighting retrofits in hospitals. This case study supports recommendations to measure relevant psychosocial variables before and after a design change. Similarly, sized units within hospitals and health care facilities that possess analogous dimensions and design constraints concerning a lack of daylight penetration will benefit from this study’s mixed methods, results and interpretations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-130
Author(s):  
Efstratia Arampatzi ◽  
Martijn Burger

Purpose Although a large number of studies have examined the relationship between the physical work environment and employee performance, the relationship between employee well-being and facility management (FM) has received limited attention. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between FM services and employee well-being in terms of job satisfaction, satisfaction with the workplace, job affect and engagement within the context of the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, distinguishing between soft FM services and hard FM services. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on the responses of 1,390 employees, who responded to all the relevant items used in this analysis. In addition to the linear estimations, the research uses an instrumental variable (IV) estimation, the Lewbel IV estimator (Lewbel, 2012), to establish a causal relationship between FM services and employee well-being. Findings The findings of this paper suggest that there is a positive relationship between the FM index and the four well-being proxies. In addition, the findings indicate that the effect of soft FM on employee well-being is generally weaker than the effect of hard FM, especially with regard to job affect and engagement. Originality/value The current research treats FM services as a resource instead of a cost and goes beyond the financial value of FM by providing a quantitative analysis on the added value of FM services in terms of employee well-being. Most importantly, this study incorporates FM services in the JD-R model and uses an alternative approach to linear regression and traditional IV regression to solve for endogeneity issues.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasmansyah Rasmansyah ◽  
M Zainal Aripin

<em>This research was conducted based on the existence of problems in the competence and physical work environment of employee performance. This study aims to determine the effect of competencies and physical work environment simultaneously or partially on the performance of employees of PT. Suzuki Indomobil Motor. The sampling technique is the sample random sampling technique. The type of research used is descriptive and verivative research methods, with data collection techniques using primary data and secondary data. The results showed that competency, physical work environment, and performance were categorized quite well. Based on the calculation, it can be seen that simultaneously the competence and physical work environment have a positive and significant influence on the performance of the employees of PT. Suzuki Indomobil Motor. Partially shows that the physical work environment has the most dominant influence on the performance of employees of PT. Suzuki Indomobil Motor</em>


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-179
Author(s):  
Sahat Parulian ◽  
Ahmad Hidayat Sutawijaya

This study aims to determine and clarify the effect of work environment and work motivation for workload and its implementation on employee performance. Respondents 67 employees (entire population). Data collection is done through interviews and questionnaires. Data were analyzed using path analysis (SmartPls 3.0 software) and correlation matrix between dimensions (SmartPls 3.0 software). The results showed that: (1) Work Environment and Motivation both partially and simultaneously affect Employee Performance; (2) Work environment, motivation and workload both partially and simultaneously affect employee performance; (3) Workload mediates the work environment and motivation on performance. Based on the analysis of the correlation matrix between dimensions, to improve the Work Environment, which has a positive correlation with Workload, it is recommended to maintain and improve the dimensions of Non-Physical Work Environment and also for employee performance also to improve the Physical Environment dimension. To increase motivation, which has a positive correlation with workload, it is recommended to maintain and improve hygiene. And for employee performance that is increasing the dimensions of intrinsic appreciation. To increase the workload that has a positive correlation with employee performance it is advisable to maintain and improve the dimensions of frustration


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 345
Author(s):  
Juliana Juliana

Individual characteristics and work environment are considered as crucial aspects for companies that want to improve their employees’ performance. PT Trakindo Utama specifically Samarinda branch is one of many branches of PT Trakindo Utama in Indonesia, which become the sole agent of Caterpillar products in Indonesia. Caterpillar itself is the world's leading manufacturer of heavy equipment originally from USA. This research aims to determine the influence of characteristics and non-physical work environment of the employee performance in parts Department at PT Trakindo Utama Samarinda branch. The individual characteristics (x1) and non-physical work environment (x2) are used as independent variables while the performance of employees (Y) as dependent variable. Primary data is obtained by conducting interviews to 34 respondents by using questionnaires while secondary data is obtained by conducting field observation. Data analysis uses a double linear regression technique by using SPSS 22 software. The results show that the individual characteristic variables does not have any partial effect toward the performance of the employees of Parts Department PT Trakindo Utama Cabang Samarinda branch and individual characteristic variables (X1) and non-physical work environment (x2) are simultaneously influential in the performance of the Employees (Y) Parts Department at PT trakindo Utama, Samarinda branch.  Suggestions for PT Trakindo Utama Samarinda Branch, the company should hold a family gathering in order to improve not only for each employees relations but also with bosses to stay awake, provide suggestions and evaluate employee work which can effectively improve employee performance, manage the best possible time so that the job can be completed on time.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-149
Author(s):  
Megawati Megawati ◽  
Bakri Hasanuddin ◽  
Yoberth Kornelius

This study aims to determine the effect of Physical Work Environment and Non Physical Work Environment on Employee Performance at the Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Palu City. The method used is an associative method. The type of data used in this study is the qualitative and quantitative data while the data sources used are primary and secondary data. Data analysis technique used is Multiple Linear Regression Analysis. The result of hypothesis analysis and testing can be concluded that: (1) based on the regression test results obtained Sig.F of 0,000 <0.05, which can be interpreted that the variables of Physical Work Environment and non physical work environment simultaneously affect the performance variables. (2) based on the regression test results obtained the physical work environment variable has significance level t sig. (0,000) <α (0.05) and non-physical work environment has a significance level of t sig. (0.000) <α (0,05), so the variable of physical work environment and non working physical environment partially influence to employee performance. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui Pengaruh Lingkungan Kerja Fisik dan Non Fisik Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Pada Kantor Kementerian Agama Kota Palu. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode assosiatif. Jenis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah data kualitatif dan kuantitatif sedangkan sumber data yang digunakan adalah data primer dan sekunder. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah Analisis Regresi Linear Berganda. Hasil analisis dan pengujian hipotesis dapat disimpulkan bahwa: (1) berdasarhan hasil uji regresi diperoleh Sig.F sebesar 0,000 < 0,05, yang dapat diartikan bahwa variabel lingkungan kerja fisik dan non fisik secara serempak berpengaruh terhadap variabel kinerja. (2) berdasarkan hasil uji regresi diperoleh variabel lingkungan kerja fisik memiliki tingkat signifikansi t sig. (0,000) < α (0,05) dan variabel lingkungan kerja non fisik memiliki tingkat signifikansi t sig. (0.000) < α (0,05), sehingga variabel lingkungan kerja fisik dan lingkungan kerja non fisik secara parsial berpengaruh terhadap kinerja pegawai.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiuming Chen ◽  
Haiying Kang ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Mingjian Zhou

PurposeDrawing on self-determination theory (SDT), this study aims to understand the adverse effects of customer mistreatment on employee performance and well-being by thwarting the satisfaction of employees' basic psychological needs. It also examines how these negative effects may be mitigated by empowerment human resource management (HRM) practices.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies were conducted using survey data collected in China. In Study 1, cross-sectional data from 321 telemarketing employees were analyzed to examine how customer mistreatment reduces the satisfaction of employees' basic psychological needs, harming job performance and job satisfaction. In Study 2, multiwave, multisource data were collected from 149 property agents and their supervisors to replicate the findings of Study 1 and further test empowerment HRM as a moderator of the relationship between customer mistreatment and satisfaction of needs.FindingsThe results from both studies show that customer mistreatment leads to low job performance and job satisfaction via reduced satisfaction of employees' needs for autonomy and competence but not relatedness. Moreover, the negative effect on the satisfaction of employees' needs for autonomy and competence was buffered when organizations had high empowerment HRM practices in place.Originality/valueThis study provides new insights on customer mistreatment by understanding its effects from a motivational perspective, which has not been considered in prior research. It also explores how HRM practices can help satisfy employee needs in adverse work environments induced by customer mistreatment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document