Fun at workplace and intention to leave: role of work engagement and group cohesion

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the role of work engagement (WE) and group cohesion (GC) in the context of fun at workplace (FAW) and its outcomes. Design/methodology/approach In total, 753 employees of fast food chain restaurants in India have been contacted, and 244 responded back. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses have been conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the data. Further, the hypothesized relationships have been tested using structural equation modeling. Findings The findings of the study revealed that WE mediates the relationship between FAW and intention to leave (ITL). Further, GC moderates the relationship between FAW and WE. Research limitations/implications This research has been conducted in fast food chain restaurants only, and the data is cross-sectional in nature. Practical implications Organizations should develop a business culture based on fun and enjoyment, which will help in creating a comfortable environment for employees and reduce their ITL. Social implications Society benefits a lot if employees have positive work experiences. FAW will help to reduce the negative spillover of work pressure/stress to the home. Employees will come home with minimum work stress and will contribute positively to their personal and social life. Originality/value The present study empirically tested the mediating role of WE between FAW and ITL and moderating role of GC between FAW and WE that helped a lot to understand the relationships in the workplace setting.

Relationships between coach's leadership, group cohesion, affective states, sport satisfaction and goal attainment in competitive settings

We examined whether a perceived coach's leadership predicted group cohesion and whether group cohesion predicted intensity and direction of positive affect and negative affect experienced during competition, sport satisfaction and goal attainment following the completion of a sports competition. A sample of 296 competitive athletes (M age = 21.61; standard deviation = 6.32) participated in the study and completed a series of self-report questionnaires assessing the aforementioned constructs. A partial least square path modelling approach was used to examine the relationships between the study variables. Results of the structural partial least square path modelling model revealed that: (a) democratic coach behaviour negatively predicted Group Integration Task, (b) authoritarian coach positively predicted Individual Attractions to the Group-Social, and (c) reward positively predicted Group Integration Task. Moreover, partial least square path modelling results also revealed that (a) Individual Attraction to the Group-Task positively predicted the direction of negative affect during competition, (b) authoritarian coach marginally positively predicted Group Social Integration during competition, and (c) Group Social Integration marginally negatively predicted the direction of Negative Affects during competition. Thus, contradicting previous studies, results did not provide evidence of the empowering effect of democratic coach leadership on Group Integration Task. Finally, results provided evidence for the significant relationships between group cohesion and athletes’ competitive outcomes such as affective states experienced during competition.

Not Just a Hijack: Imaginary Worlds Can Enhance Individual and Group-Level Fitness

Why has fiction been so successful over time? We make the case that fiction may have properties that enhance both individual and group level fitness by (a) allowing risk-free simulation of important scenarios, (b) effectively transmitting solutions to common problems, and (c) enhancing group cohesion through shared consumption of fictive worlds.

The Association Between the Subjective Exercise Experience of Chinese Women Participating in Square Dance and Group Cohesion: The Mediating Effect of Income

Background: Chinese square dance has become well known worldwide in recent years, and most participants are women who dance with a group in their communities. In particular, middle-aged women may have physical and mental health problems, and participating in square dance may increase women’s positive subjective well-being and decrease their negative emotions, which may improve their health over the long term. In addition, participating in square dance can promote group cohesion. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between the subjective exercise experience of participating in square dance and group cohesion and whether some variables (e.g., age, education, duration, income level, and work) play a role as mediators in the association with subjective exercise experience and group cohesion.Methods: In total, 1,468 Chinese women from 31 provinces and 82 cities participated in this study by completing an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of a subjective exercise experience questionnaire and a group environment questionnaire. We analyzed the collected data and built a statistical model.Results: (a) Square dance satisfied women’s physical and psychological needs partly; (b) positive well-being (PWB) was positively correlated with group cohesion, and fatigue was negatively correlated with group cohesion; and (c) the income level was a partial mediator of the relationship between group cohesion and subjective exercise experience.Conclusion: Chinese women have different motivations for participating in square dance. Because this activity can help meet women’s physical and psychological needs, an increasing number of individuals worldwide participate in square dance. As women’s subjective well-being increases, group cohesion increases, and vice versa. Moreover, the subjective exercise experience remains a significant predictor of group cohesion after including income level as a mediator, suggesting that the model indicates partial mediation.

COVID-19 and the Rise of the Conspiracy

This paper examines the rise of COVID-19 related conspiracy theories through a Durkheimian lens. Specifically, Durkheim’s concepts of anomie, collective consciousness, and religion can be useful in interpreting the increased participation in conspiracy theory groups. It examines how social distancing measures and government restrictions have led to increased anomie, and how conspiracy theory groups have been used to mitigate this anomic state by introducing shared beliefs and norms. These groups have also created opportunities for people to come together physically and virtually, sharing common beliefs and goals creating a distinct collective consciousness. This paper also focuses on social media’s role in perpetuating conspiracy theories and how online communities create an environment where it becomes difficult to decipher fact from fiction. It also focuses on how online communities foster group cohesion in a virtual environment. In addition, the paper also likens conspiracy groups to religious ones using Émile Durkheim’s definition.

The Moderating Role of Attachment in the Associations Between Group Variables and OCB

The current study expands previous knowledge by investigating the moderating role of attachment styles in the associations between perceived group cohesion, perceived collective efficacy, and changes in the individual report of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Data were collected from 180 employees, who took part in a 9-week organizational training course. Upon start of training, participants completed questionnaires assessing their attachment orientations and their individual-level OCB. Upon conclusion, participants completed questionnaires assessing their perceived group cohesion, perceived group efficacy, and OCB. Using hierarchical linear modeling, both group cohesion and efficacy explained the changes in the individual OCB. In addition, attachment anxiety moderated the associations between group efficacy, group cohesion and the changes in OCB. The results emphasize the joint effects of group-and individual-level variables in predicting OCB in a longitudinal design. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.