Zitatform

Addison, John T. & Paulino Teixeira (2025): Job satisfaction and workplace representation in Europe. In: The Manchester School, Jg. 93, H. 2, S. 123-148. DOI:10.1111/manc.12499

Abstract

"The backdrop to this inquiry into the relationship between worker job satisfaction and workplace representation in European nations is twofold. The first is that the bulk of research has focused on union membership and job satisfaction in Anglophone nations with their very different industrial relations systems and bargaining arrangements. The second and more immediate context is the dramatic shift from negative to positive in the association between union membership and job satisfaction (inter al.) observed in the most recent literature. Using data on 28 European nations from the last two waves of the European Working Conditions Survey, however, we report that workers in establishments with formal workplace representation record lower job satisfaction than their counterparts in plants without such representation. These findings of conditional correlation are then upgraded by constructing a pseudo-panel with cohort fixed effects to take account of unobserved worker heterogeneity. First-difference estimates suggest that the negative relationship between worker representation and job satisfaction found in cross section continues to hold. Next, an endogenous treatment effects model is deployed to address the possible endogeneity of worker representation. The results are supportive of a causal negative relationship between job satisfaction and worker representation. One interpretation of our findings is that in the matter of the association between unions and job satisfaction the jury is still out." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Davcheva, Marija, Vicente González-Romá, Pascale Le Blanc, Ana Hernández & Inés Tomás (2025): Employability as antecedent of eudaimonic wellbeing at work: The mediating role of work meaningfulness. In: Journal of vocational behavior, Jg. 162. DOI:10.1016/j.jvb.2025.104170

Abstract

"Employee eudaimonic wellbeing is crucial for sustainable performance, health, and quality of work life. However, research is needed to understand what shapes eudaimonic wellbeing at work (EWW), and how and why. Drawing on the self-discovery framework of eudaimonic identity, this study investigated whether employability dimensions (career identity, personal adaptability, and social and human capital) are related to two dimensions of EWW (personal growth at work and purpose in career). Moreover, based on the worker-centric approach to work meaningfulness, we tested whether these relationships are mediated by work meaningfulness. Our study sample consisted of 263 employees. We implemented a longitudinal design with three data collection points. Path analysis results showed that career identity was positively and directly related to both dimensions of wellbeing, whereas social capital and human capital were positively and indirectly related to them via work meaningfulness. Personal adaptability was neither directly nor indirectly related to eudaimonic wellbeing. Our findings advance the theory on antecedents of EEW and its integration with vocational psychology by clarifying how and why employability influences eudaimonic wellbeing at work. The study highlights the importance of employees' employability, specifically career identity, social capital, and human capital, in fostering EWW." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2025 The Authors.Published by Elsevier Inc.) ((en))

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El Khawli, Elissa, Mark Visser & Mustafa Firat (2025): Trajectories of job resources and the timing of retirement. In: Work, Aging and Retirement, Jg. 11, H. 2, S. 149-161. DOI:10.1093/workar/waae004

Abstract

"Job resources benefit and motivate workers and, therefore, facilitate longer working lives. Yet, little is known about how job resources develop over time and how, in turn, trajectories of job resources are associated with retirement timing. Accordingly, this study examines job resource trajectories of older workers and to what extent these trajectories are related to when people retire. Using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), growth mixture models are conducted to examine the trajectory of three job resources, namely autonomy, skill development opportunities and recognition, from age 50 until workers retired or dropped out of the survey. Four trajectories of job resources are found: stable high resources, stable low skill development opportunities, stable low recognition and stable low resources. The results of the subsequent event history analysis of retirement timing show that older workers with trajectories of job resources characterized by stable low recognition and stable low resources are at higher risk of earlier retirement compared to those with other trajectories. The findings shed light on the importance of job resource trajectories for promoting longer working lives." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Geißler, Theresa (2025): What an (Un) Favorable Match: Public Sector Employment and the Reversal of the Overeducation-Job Satisfaction Penalty. In: Journal of happiness studies, Jg. 26, H. 6. DOI:10.1007/s10902-025-00926-z

Abstract

"It is a well-documented phenomenon that individuals with higher education than required for their job report lower job satisfaction. However, whether this also applies to public sector employees remains unclear. The German case reveals a negative relationship between overeducation and job satisfaction in the private sector, which is reversed to positive for public sector employees. This holds robust across various empirical alterations. Furthermore, it is revealed that individuals with altruistic motives and a stronger-than-average family orientation drive this positive relationship." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Kraats, Coen van de, Titus Galama, Maarten Lindeboom & Zichen Deng (2025): Why Life Gets Better after Age 50, for Some: Mental Well-Being and the Social Norm of Work. In: Journal of labor economics, S. 1-24. DOI:10.1086/737772

Abstract

"We provide evidence that the social norm (expectation) that adults work has a substantial detrimental causal effect on the mental well-being of unemployed men in mid-life, as substantial as, e.g., the detriment of being widowed. As their peers in age retire and the social norm weakens, the mental well-being of the unemployed improves.Using data on individuals aged 50+ from 10 European countries, we identify the social norm of work effect using exogenous variation in the earliest eligibility age for old-age public pensions across countries and birth cohorts." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Manger, Helena (2025): Benefits and Employees' Work Effort: An Empirical Analysis of Non-monetary Incentives. (SOEPpapers on multidisciplinary panel data research at DIW Berlin 1228), Berlin, 63 S.

Abstract

"Despite extensive literature on incentives to increase employees' work performance, economic research on employer-provided non-monetary benefits remains rare. This study investigates the relationship between benefits and employees' work effort utilizing data from the German Socio-Economic Panel. The analysis is based on data from eleven survey waves from 2006 to 2022 and considers five benefit types: meal stipends, firm cars, phones and computers for personal use, as well as expense payments exceeding minimum costs. The results reveal a modest positive association between benefit receipt and employees' work effort, measured as the difference between actual and contractual working hours per week. On average, benefit receipt is associated with 13 minutes additional work per week. Furthermore, receiving a greater variety of benefit types is linked to even higher work effort, with two to five or more benefit types associated with an average increase of 27 to 97 minutes of extra work per week. However, the effectiveness of benefits does not seem to be universal but varies depending on the type of benefit as well as individual and organizational characteristics. Notably, the positive association of benefits with work effort appears significantly higher for males than for females, and sectoral differences are evident. These findings underscore the importance of further research to better understand the specific conditions under which benefits can effectively enhance employee work effort." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Mutter, Anna, Jasmin Afrahi & Thomas Armbrüster (2025): What makes a good place to work? The effect of internal corporate social responsibility on word-of-mouth for employers. In: The International Journal of Human Resource Management, Jg. 36, H. 11, S. 1807-1833. DOI:10.1080/09585192.2025.2534339

Abstract

"Word-of-mouth for employers (WOME; i.e., employees talking positively about their employer organization) is a valuable corporate means of recruitment in times of employee shortage and war for talent. However, research on the determinants of WOME is fragmented, and the identification of success factors is incomplete. Based on research on word-of-mouth mechanisms and social exchange theory, which explains exchange relationships between sender and receiver, we elaborate on a model of WOME that comprises classic and emerging factors of workplace attractiveness (monetary compensation, work environment, and workplace fun) and internal corporate social responsibility (ICSR). We hypothesize that ICSR exhibits the greatest explanatory power for WOME. We tested our assumption with a data set of 132,995 participants from 13 industrial sectors in Germany and ran a multiple linear regression analysis with four independent variables and WOME as the dependent variable. ICSR proved to have the greatest effect on WOME, which we consider a result of employees’ interest in a fair exchange relationship with their employers, followed by workplace fun, the work environment, and monetary compensation. We discuss the results in terms of the above-mentioned theories and point out directions for future research as well as practical implications." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Nivorozhkin, Anton & Markus Promberger (2025): Der Bezug von Grundsicherungsleistungen geht auch längerfristig mit einer geringeren Lebenszufriedenheit einher (Serie „Befunde aus der IAB-Grundsicherungsforschung 2021 bis 2024“). In: IAB-Forum H. 16.07.2025, 2025-07-14. DOI:10.48720/IAB.FOO.20250716.01

Abstract

"Für viele Menschen sind Grundsicherungsleistungen eine unverzichtbare finanzielle Hilfe. Doch wie verhält es sich mit dem subjektiven Wohlergehen der Betroffenen? Befunde aus der IAB-Forschung, die auf Daten vor der Bürgergeld-Reform basieren, zeigen: Obwohl Grundsicherungsleistungen die materielle Situation von Menschen absichern, geht der Bezug als solcher im Schnitt auch langfristig mit einer geringeren Lebenszufriedenheit einher. Bei Männern verstärkt sich dieser Effekt im Zeitverlauf sogar." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Rudolph, Cort W., Jack C. Friedrich, Ryszard J. Koziel & Hannes Zacher (2025): Character Strengths Use at Work: a Meta-Analysis of Relations with Work Performance and Employee Wellbeing. In: Applied Research in Quality of Life, Jg. 20, H. 2, S. 753-788. DOI:10.1007/s11482-025-10424-2

Abstract

"Character strengths, individual differences in positive, morally valued human characteristics, are a core concept in positive psychology and positive organizational behavior. The application of character strengths through “strengths use” at work is associated with a variety of positive outcomes, including higher levels of work performance and employee wellbeing. To address fragmentation in this literature, we conducted a meta-analysis of relations between strengths use and these outcomes. Consistent with pre-registered hypotheses, we find positive associations between strengths use and work performance (ρ = .421) and worker wellbeing (ρ = .621). However, contrary to the premise of “strengths overuse,” we did not find evidence for non-linearity in these associations. We also explore demographic and methodological moderators of these relations and present an accounting of additional relations between strengths use at work and a broader network of more specific performance- and wellbeing-related constructs, associated strengths-use constructs, job characteristics, dispositional and attitudinal constructs, and demographic characteristics." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Bachtal, Yassien Nico (2024): The efficiency scope of work from home: A multidimensional approach and the significance of real estate. (Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 144916), Darmstadt: Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL), 176 S.

Abstract

"Die Arbeitswelten und insbesondere die physische Organisation der Arbeit befinden sich in einem tiefgreifenden Transformationsprozess. Ursächlich für diesen Transformationsprozess sind technologische Innovationen, organisatorische Veränderungen und die zunehmende Pluralisierung der Anforderungen von Arbeitnehmenden. Auch wenn dieser Transformationsprozess der physischen Organisation der Arbeit schon vor einigen Jahren eingesetzt hat, hat die COVID-19 Pandemie die Transformationsgeschwindigkeit signifikant erhöht. Work from Home, als eine Maßnahme zur Eindämmung der COVID-19 Pandemie, ermöglichte es Büroarbeitenden weltweit Erfahrungen mit der Arbeit zu Hause zu sammeln. Work from Home beschreibt dabei das regelmäßige Arbeiten von zu Hause, das durch die Nutzung von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien ermöglicht wird. Arbeitnehmende haben dadurch den direkten Vergleich zwischen dem Arbeiten im Büro und dem Work from Home und wägen ihren Arbeitsort in Abhängigkeit der Arbeitstätigkeiten zielgerichteter ab. Die flächendeckende Einführung von Work from Home beeinflusst das Leben und Arbeiten auf mehreren Ebenen. Auf individueller Ebene stellt sich die Frage, welche Arbeitnehmenden grundsätzlich für das Work from Home geeignet sind. Auf der Ebene der Arbeitsumwelt fehlt es an Erkenntnissen, inwiefern Work from Home einen Einfluss auf die digitale Ausstattung von Wohnimmobilien hat. Weiterhin bleibt offen, wie sich das Zusammenspiel aus den Arbeitnehmenden (person) und der Arbeitsumwelt (environment) im Work from Home auf den individuellen Arbeitserfolg (fit) auswirkt. Diesen Forschungsfragen geht die vorliegende Dissertation mithilfe von insgesamt fünf Forschungsartikeln nach. Der erste Artikel ordnet Work from Home in eine hybride Arbeitswelt ein und nutzt dazu einen internationalen Vergleich zwischen den Vereinigten Staaten und Deutschland. Hybrides Arbeiten definiert sich über die Verteilung der Arbeitszeit auf das Büro, das Work from Home und dritte Arbeitsorte und beschreibt eine Kombination dieser Arbeitsorte. Der Artikel zeigt, dass WFH in einer hybriden Arbeitswelt für viele Arbeitnehmende einen hohen Stellenwert einnimmt. Während die Arbeitszeit im Büro mit rund einem Drittel in beiden Ländern nahezu identisch ist, zeigt sich, dass vor allem dritte Arbeitsorte (z. B. Coworking Spaces) für Arbeitnehmende in den Vereinigten Staaten einen höheren Stellenwert als in Deutschland einnehmen. Der Artikel zeigt, dass diese Divergenz vor allem kulturell begründet ist. In der Summe zeigt dieser Artikel, dass Arbeitnehmende dem WFH in einer hybriden Arbeitswelt international einen hohen Stellenwert einräumen. Der zweite Artikel greift den hohen Stellenwert des Work from Home in einer hybriden Arbeitswelt auf und untersucht in einer Vorstudie, welche Aspekte erfolgreiches Arbeiten zu Hause ermöglichen. Die Ergebnisse des Artikels zeigen, dass korrelative Zusammenhänge zwischen räumlichen, personenbezogenen und arbeitsbezogenen Merkmalen auf der einen Seite und der Zufriedenheit und Produktivität auf der anderen Seite existieren. Konsequenterweise ist erfolgreiches Arbeiten zu Hause nur durch positive Voraussetzungen aller drei Dimensionen möglich. Dieser Artikel gibt einen ersten Hinweis darauf, dass tatsächlich nur rund 25 % der Arbeitnehmenden, die die Möglichkeit haben von zu Hause zu arbeiten, dort auch erfolgreich sind. Im dritten Forschungsartikel werden die Ergebnisse aus der zweiten Studie aufgegriffen. So ist das Ziel, diese 25 % der erfolgreich von zu Hause arbeitenden Arbeitnehmenden, näher zu betrachten. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass insbesondere berufserfahrenere Arbeitnehmende, die in gut ausgestatteten Wohnimmobilien leben und eine hohe Arbeitsautonomie haben im Work from Home erfolgreich arbeiten können. Weniger erfolgreich im Work from Home sind vor allem Berufseinsteiger, die häufig in Immobilien wohnen, die nicht für das Work from Home geeignet sind. Der vierte Artikel widmet sich konkret der Frage, welchen Einfluss die immobilienwirtschaftlichen Merkmale auf die Zufriedenheit und die Produktivität im Work from Home haben. Des Weiteren wird die relative Bedeutung der immobilienwirtschaftlichen Merkmale im Verhältnis zu arbeitsbezogenen und sozial-psychologischen Merkmalen gesetzt. Es zeigt sich, dass die immobilienwirtschaftlichen Merkmale im Work from Home einen hohen Einfluss auf die Zufriedenheit und die Produktivität haben. Im Vergleich zu arbeitsbezogenen und sozial-psychologischen Merkmalen haben die immobilienwirtschaftlichen Merkmale sogar die größte Bedeutung. Der fünfte Forschungsartikel untersucht, welche Aspekte die Kaufabsicht von Smart Homes beeinflussen und welche Rolle die gestiegene Technikaffinität, ausgelöst durch die COVID-19 Pandemie und insbesondere durch Work from Home, einnimmt. Die Kaufabsicht von Smart Homes wird vor allem durch das soziale Umfeld begünstigt. Die Ergebnisse machen aber auch deutlich, dass die gestiegene Technikaffinität die Einstellung gegenüber solchen Wohnimmobilien verbessert, was wiederum zu einer höheren Kaufabsicht führt. Mit diesen Erkenntnissen erweitert die vorliegende Dissertation die Forschung rund um das Thema Work from Home. Work from Home bietet sowohl für die Unternehmen als auch für die Gesellschaft Potentiale. Gleichzeitig zeigt die Dissertation auch Risiken, die mit dem Arbeiten von zu Hause verbunden sind. Nur durch die individuelle Betrachtung der Workforce einer Organisation und durch die Kombination des Büros, Work from Home und dritte Arbeitsorte lassen sich diese Potentiale realisieren. Die Dissertation bietet eine theoretisch-konzeptionelle Einordnung in den aktuellen Stand der Forschung und liefert mit den Ergebnissen Implikationen für die Praxis, um den Herausforderungen im Transformationsprozess der physischen Organisation der Arbeit gerecht zu werden." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Buchinger, Laura, Theresa Entringer & Daniel Graeber (2024): DIW Berlin: Zufriedenheit mit Einkommen, Arbeit und Gesundheit unterscheidet sich nach Haushaltseinkommen, Alter und Elternschaft. In: DIW-Wochenbericht, Jg. 91, H. 34, S. 523-532. DOI:10.18723/diw_wb:2024-34-1

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Ehmann, Stefanie, Patrick Kampkötter, Julian Wenzel & Stefanie Wolter (2024): In the Hand of the Family: Management Practices and Perceived Job Quality. (SSRN papers), Rochester, NY, 39 S. DOI:10.2139/ssrn.5060329

Abstract

"This paper explores the use and implications of management practices in family firms compared to firms with dispersed ownership. Our longitudinal and representative employer-employee data set contains detailed information on the implementation of management practices at the firm level, as well as on the type of management in family firms. The analyses show that family firms are not inherently less likely to implement management practices as compared to firms with dispersed ownership, as the differences are driven by the type of management rather than ownership. We find that family-managed family firms are less likely to have implemented structured management practices, whereas externally-managed family firms are not as different from firms with dispersed ownership. Yet, we show that perceived job quality in family firms such as job satisfaction, procedural fairness and leadership quality, does not suffer from the lack of formal practices, suggesting that informal practices play an important role in family firms. For externally-managed family firms, we even find tentative evidence for comparatively higher levels of perceived job quality." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Giuliano, Romina, Benoît Mahy, François Rycx & Guillaume Vermeylen (2024): Overeducation, Overskilling and Job Satisfaction in Europe: The Moderating Role of Employment Contracts. (GLO discussion paper / Global Labor Organization 1419), Essen, 34 S.

Abstract

"This paper is the first to examine whether and how overeducation and overskilling, considered separately and in interaction, influence workers' job satisfaction at European level. It also investigates the moderating role of employment contracts. Our results, based on a unique pan-European database covering 28 countries in 2014, show that overeducation and overskilling reduce the probability of workers being satisfied with their jobs, but also that the drop in job satisfaction is almost double for genuinely overeducated workers (i.e. workers that are both overeducated and overskilled). These adverse effects on job satisfaction are found to be more pronounced among mismatched workers (whether overeducated, overskilled or both) on fixed-term rather than indefinite contracts." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Grund, Christian, Dirk Sliwka & Krystina Titz (2024): Works councils as gatekeepers: Codetermination, management practices, and job satisfaction. In: Labour Economics, Jg. 90. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2024.102563

Abstract

"This paper analyzes the role of works councils as gatekeepers safeguarding employee's interests in the adoption of management practices to monitor employee performance and provide feedback. We first introduce a formal model predicting that (i) the introduction of such management practices leads to a stronger increase (or weaker decrease) in job satisfaction when a works council is in place, (ii) that this effect should be larger the lower the prior level of employee participation and (iii) that works councils increase the likelihood of the implementation of these practices at the level of individual employees. We provide evidence in line with these hypotheses, using linked-employer-employee panel data from Germany. We indeed find that the adoption of formal performance appraisals and feedback interviews is associated with a significantly larger increase in job satisfaction when there is a works council. This pattern is driven by establishments without collective bargaining agreements. The evidence also suggests that works councils indeed facilitate the implementation of such management practices, as codetermined firms have a higher likelihood that a practice implemented on the firm level is actually applied by middle management." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2024 Elsevier) ((en))

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Ketzmerick, Thomas & Christian Hosang (2024): Qualität der Arbeitsbedingungen von Beschäftigten in Sachsen 2023. Ergebnisse der Befragung zum DGB-Index Gute Arbeit in Sachsen. (Forschungsberichte aus dem zsh), Dresden, 43 S.

Abstract

"Im Jahr 2023 wurde im Auftrag des Freistaates Sachsen zum achten Mal eine Aufstockung der jährlichen Befragung für den DGB-Index Gute Arbeit realisiert, um einen detaillierteren Einblick in die Beschäftigungs- und Arbeitssituation im Land zu gewinnen. Die Befragung ermöglicht Aussagen zu den wahrgenommenen Arbeitsbedingungen aus Sicht der sächsischen Beschäftigten sowie den Vergleich mit den Ergebnissen für Deutschland. Auf dieser Grundlage können Fortschritte und Handlungsbedarfe im Sinne von guter Arbeit identifiziert werden. Der Gesamtindex Gute Arbeit setzt sich aus drei Teilindizes zusammen: Ressourcen (z.B. Einfluss- und Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten), Belastungen (z.B. durch körperliche und psychische Anforderungen) sowie Einkommen und Sicherheit (einschließlich der Bewertung des erwarteten Rentenniveaus). Die Teilindizes basieren auf insgesamt 42 Einzelmerkmalen der subjektiv eingeschätzten Arbeitsqualität. Die Arbeitsqualität in Sachsen hat sich in den letzten Jahren deutlich verbessert. Mit einer Unterbrechung in der Pandemie hat der Gesamtindex seit 2018 stetig zugelegt. Eine ähnliche Entwicklung ist in Ostdeutschland zu sehen. Nach einem leichten Rückgang des gesamtdeutschen Wertes liegt die Arbeitszufriedenheit in Sachsen und Ostdeutschland 2023 erstmals nahezu auf dem bundesweiten Niveau." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Nelson, Jennifer L. & Tiffany D. Johnson (2024): How White Workers Navigate Racial Difference in the Workplace: Social-Emotional Processes and the Role of Workplace Racial Composition. In: Work and occupations, Jg. 51, H. 3, S. 362-407. DOI:10.1177/07308884231176833

Abstract

"Research on racialized emotions and racialized organizations has begun to inform how we understand social interactions in the workplace and their implications for racial inequality. However, most research to date focuses on the experiences and coping strategies of racial minority workers, especially when confronted with instances of racial prejudice and discrimination. We extend research on racialized emotions in the workplace by mapping the stages of belonging/unbelonging white workers go through when they encounter instances of racial discomfort or perceived prejudice in the workplace. This is an important contribution to the study of race and work because existing research suggests the deleterious effects for people of color when white people experience negative emotions such as threat, fear, and anxiety in interracial encounters. Drawing on interview data with 56 white teachers in a metropolitan area in the U.S. Southeast, we document a process of racialized belonging. This is a process whereby white workers experienced varying degrees of surprise, confusion, frustration, and fear resulting from interracial—and some intraracial—experiences with coworkers as well as students. We note how the process is informed by racialized imprinting prior to workplace entry and followed by racialized emotions and racialized coping. Racial composition of the workplace also played a role, though the process looked similar across contexts. We argue that by accounting for white workers’ prior life experiences as well as organizations’ involvement in accommodating their emotional expectations, the way white workers behave when race becomes salient to them can be better understood and addressed." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Udayar, Shagini, Ieva Urbanaviciute, Christian Maggiori & Jérôme Rossier (2024): Does promotion foster career sustainability? A comparative three-wave study on the role of promotion in work stress, job satisfaction, and career-related performance. In: International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance. DOI:10.1007/s10775-024-09694-3

Abstract

"The present study investigates the role of promotion in employees’ happiness (job satisfaction), health (work stress), and career-related performance (perceived employability and career prospects). Positive and negative changes in the above-mentioned career sustainability indicators were investigated over a 2-year period. The promotion subsample (n = 128) was compared with a matched sample of non-promoted employees (n = 150). We also tested the role of gender in responding to a promotion. The findings suggest that the promotion may have equivocal effects on employees’ happiness, health, and career-related performance over time, and therefore does not foster their career sustainability." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

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Zhou, Ying, Min Zou & Mark Williams (2024): Is there a mid-career crisis? An investigation of the relationship between age and job satisfaction across occupations based on four large UK datasets. In: Socio-economic review. DOI:10.1093/ser/mwae072

Abstract

"Previous research has yielded mixed evidence on the relationship between age and job satisfaction. While there is broad consensus that job satisfaction tends to increase from midlife into older age, considerable debate persists regarding whether it rises or falls during the early stages of a career. This study examines this relationship in depth by analysing four nationally representative datasets, which include both cross-sectional and longitudinal data from 108 401 workers in the UK covering all industries, occupations and geographical areas. Our findings reveal a distinct U-shaped trajectory of job satisfaction among workers in managerial, professional and associate professional occupations. However, this pattern is not evident among workers in intermediate or lower occupational classes. These results remain consistent even after adjusting for period effects, cohort effects and fixed individual characteristics. The results of this study suggest that commonly cited reasons for the mid-career crisis, such as increased work–family conflicts, are unlikely to fully explain the pattern. Instead, the answer is likely to lie in work-related factors that disproportionately affect highly skilled workers. By highlighting the role of occupational context in shaping how individuals experience their work as they age, this study contributes to resolving a long-standing debate in the job satisfaction literature and lays the groundwork for theoretical advancements in this field." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Śliwicki, Dominik (2024): Intergenerational Differences in Job Satisfaction in Germany. (Scientific Papers of Silesian University of Technology. Organization and Management Series 199), 13 S. DOI:10.29119/1641-3466.2024.199.44

Abstract

"The aim of the research is to determine the differences in the level of job satisfaction among employees representing different generations in the labor market in Germany. It is assumed that the younger the generation, the lower the chance for higher satisfaction. The first part of the methodology is based on the use of post hoc statistical tests and answers to the questions about the significance of differences in the level of job satisfaction among employees representing different generations. The second part of the analysis involves estimating multinomial logit models in which the dependent variable is job satisfaction. This part indicates important factors influencing the increase in the chances of achieving higher job satisfaction. The results of the study showed that there are statistically significant differences in the level of job satisfaction between the BB and X generations as well as the BB and Y generations. The general conclusion is that the younger the generation, the lower the average job satisfaction. Significant differences occur only when compared to the oldest generation. The sample of the data is representative for German establishments in the private sector with at least employees. Further research may focus on identifying the factors that create job satisfaction in generational groups and those that cause significant differences. An important element of the research would be to find substitution relationships between factors, which could certainly be used in human resources management processes. Practical implications: The research results can be used in practice in managing intergenerational teams. Knowledge of differences in approach to work and factors influencing job satisfaction allows for more accurate influence on, among others: employee commitment and performance and mitigating conflict situations. The social implications of the presented study are related to shaping the attitudes of both employees and managers towards representatives of different generations functioning in the workplace and their mutual relationships. The article is addressed to a wide range of management practitioners in intergenerational teams. The value is providing new knowledge about differences in job satisfaction and factors that build satisfaction." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Benjamin, Daniel J., Jakina Debnam Guzman, Marc Fleurbaey, Ori Heffetz & Miles Kimball (2023): What do Happiness Data Mean? Theory and Survey Evidence. In: Journal of the European Economic Association, Jg. 21, H. 6, S. 2377-2412. DOI:10.1093/jeea/jvad026

Abstract

"What utility notion—e.g. flow/lifetime, self/family-centered—do self-reported well-being (SWB) questions measure? Existing applications make different assumptions regarding the (i) life domains, (ii) time horizons, and (iii) other-regarding preferences captured by SWB data. To obtain relevant evidence, we ask survey respondents what they had in mind regarding (i)–(iii) when answering commonly used—life satisfaction, happiness, ladder—and new SWB questions. We find that respondents’ self-reports differ from researchers’ assumptions and differ across SWB questions and sociodemographic groups. At the same time, simple SWB-question wording tweaks are effective in moving self-reports toward desired interpretations. We outline actionable suggestions for SWB researchers. (JEL: D69, D90, I31)" (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Bińczycki, Bernard, Wiesław Łukasiński & Sławomir Dorocki (2023): Determinants of Motivation to Work in Terms of Industry 4.0 - The Gen Z Perspective. In: Sustainability, Jg. 15, H. 15. DOI:10.3390/su151512069

Abstract

"The mentality of Generation Z differs markedly from the approach to social and economic issues presented by earlier generations. These young people have had access to the internet and other innovative technologies since birth. A tape recorder or a floppy disk is a museum exhibit for them. They are unfamiliar with the everyday problems that citizens of Central and Eastern Europe faced during the socialist era, such as the lack of necessities on the shelves. The aim of this article is to present the results of the authors’ survey on the identification of work motivation factors relevant to Generation Z. The survey involved 649 respondents, young Poles who are currently entering the labor market. It was also an interesting research task for the authors to compare the results of surveys among young Poles with the results of international surveys. The research provided insight into young people’s expectations, values, and preferences regarding work. The results of the survey can provide valuable guidance for employers in shaping sustainable human resource management strategies. In addition, studying the competences of Generation Z can identify the gap between the requirements of the labor market and the skills possessed by young workers. The study conducted by the authors is among the first of its kind in Poland after the pandemic, emphasizing the growing trend in remote work. Earlier research was undertaken in a different economic climate. The current investigation took place following the COVID-19 outbreak and amidst heightened military operations in Ukraine. It also takes into account the effects of recent technological progress related to the rapid development of Industry 4.0. Notably, the questionnaire used in this study is unique as the authors categorized motivational factors into three essential groups, highly relevant in today’s markedly altered labor market." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Focacci, Chiara Natalie & François Pichault (2023): How does institutional context shape work-related functionings for regular and self-employed workers? A contextualised application of the capability approach to Belgium, France and the Netherlands. In: The international journal of sociology and social policy, Jg. 43, H. 13/14, S. 36-61. DOI:10.1108/IJSSP-12-2022-0312

Abstract

"Purpose: According to Sen's theoretical framework of capability (1985), individuals reach their full potential once they have the freedom, intended as the set of functionings at their disposal, to do so. However, many critiques have been developed against the lack of embeddedness of the capability approach in social and political relations and structures. In this article, the authors investigate the influence of three institutional contexts (Belgium, the Netherlands and France) on the respective work-related functionings of self-employed and regular workers, with a focus on human capital investment and institutional support offered to them. Design/methodology/approach Data from the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) are used to highlight similarities and differences in building work-related functionings for regular and self-employed workers. A regression analysis is provided at the country level. Findings In the three labor markets, the authors find that the building of work-related functionings is more successful for regular employees, especially as regards institutional support. Self-employed workers, on the other hand, need to rely on their individual capability as regards employment protection and human capital investment. However, the authors find interesting differences between the three institutional contexts. In both Belgium and France, self-employed workers are subject to higher instability in terms of changes in salary and hours worked, whereas atypical work is better positioned in the Dutch labour market. The Netherlands is also characterized by a less significant gap between regular and self-employed workers with respect to participation in training. Originality/value In this article, the authors contextualise Sen's (1985) theoretical framework by taking into account the institutional differences of labor markets. In particular, the authors provide a novel application of his capability approach to regular and self-employed workers in an economically relevant European area." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Emerald Group) ((en))

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Folke, Olle & Johanna Rickne (2023): Workplace Sex Composition and Appreciation at Work. (Working paper / Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI) 2023,05), Stockholm, 24 S.

Abstract

"We study appreciation of one’s work using nationally representative survey data from Sweden linked with employer–employee data. The level of appreciation from colleagues rises sharply with the share of women in the workplace. This strong pattern holds for women and men workers, as well as for subordinates and managers. More appreciation from colleagues is associated with higher levels of job satisfaction and other indicators of worker well-being. These results demonstrate the benefits of workplace gender diversity and inclusion, and suggest new directions for research on gender inequality in the labor market." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Friedrich, Teresa Sophie & Basha Vicari (2023): The Digitalization Boost of the Covid‐19 Pandemic and Changes in Job Quality. In: Social Inclusion, Jg. 11, H. 4, S. 274-286., 2023-09-18. DOI:10.17645/si.v11i4.7082

Abstract

"The Covid‐19 pandemic caused a digitalization boost, mainly through the rise of telework. Even before the pandemic, advancing digital transformation restructured the way of working and thereby changed the quality of jobs—albeit at a different pace across occupations. With data from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), we examine how job quality and the use of digital technologies changed during the first pandemic year in different occupations. Building on this, we analyze change score models to investigate how increased workplace digitalization connects to changes in selected aspects of employees’ subjective job quality. We find only a weak association between the digitalization boost in different occupational fields and the overall decrease in subjective job quality. However, telework—as one aspect of digitalization—is connected to a smaller decrease in work–family reconciliation and conformable working hours. Thus, it may buffer some detrimental pandemic effects on job quality. In addition, telework is connected to increased information overload, creating a new burden for specific employee groups." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Maestas, Nicole, Kathleen J. Mullen, David Powell, Till von Wachter & Jeffrey B. Wenger (2023): The Value of Working Conditions in the United States and the Implications for the Structure of Wages. In: The American economic review, Jg. 113, H. 7, S. 2007-2047. DOI:10.1257/aer.20190846

Abstract

"We document variation in working conditions in the United States, present estimates of how workers value these conditions, and assess the impact of working conditions on estimates of wage inequality. We conduct a series of stated-preference experiments to estimate workers' willingness to pay for a broad set of working conditions, which we validate with actual job choices. We find that working conditions vary substantially, play a significant role in job choice, and are central components of the compensation received by workers. We find that accounting for differences in preferences for working conditions often exacerbates wage differentials and intensifies measures of wage inequality." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Mensvoort, Carly van, Donald Tomaskovic-Devey & Tanja van der Lippe (2023): Manager's gender, supervisory style, and employee's perception of the demanding work climate. In: European Sociological Review, Jg. 39, H. 6, S. 862-875. DOI:10.1093/esr/jcad019

Abstract

"Prior research on the link between managers’ gender and workplace gender equity primarily focuses on career outcomes. The present study explores overly demanding work climates, which we see as a realization of the ideal worker norm, bad for all workers, but a particular barrier to women’s careers. We examine whether female managers are ‘agents of change’ toward better work climates, while also exploring the impact of gendered supervisory styles on employees’ experience of overly demanding work. Together we provide a novel elaboration of the doing gender framework and the question of whether women managers are agents of change. Two-level models with organization-fixed effects for a European manager-employee linked sample reveal overall support for female managers as change agents, particularly when they manage with a feminine supervisory style. A masculine supervisory style increases employee perceptions of being overworked irrespective of manager’s gender. When female managers only enact a masculine supervisory style, they produce particularly less favourable employee experiences. Male managers who combine both feminine and masculine styles also produce worse work climates for their subordinates." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Riedel, Oliver, Katharina Hölzle, Wilhelm Bauer & Stefan Rief (Hrsg.) (2023): Cognitive Environments: Potenziale kognitiver Umgebungen in der Post-Covid-Zeit. Stuttgart, 56 S. DOI:10.24406/publica-1684

Abstract

"Was wäre, wenn wir Arbeitsumgebungen entwickeln würden, die sich hochindividuell an einzelne Nutzer anpassen könnten? Arbeitsplätze, die erkennen bei welchen Umgebungsparametern wir bei unterschiedlichen Tätigkeiten am besten arbeiten können und dann unsere persönlichen Idealwerte einstellen. Oder Arbeitsplätze, an denen das Fenster uns einen erholsamen, virtuellen Anblick eines Bergsees einspielt, weil es Zeit für eine Pause wäre. Mit Hilfe von im Raum integrierter IoT-Technologie, Sensoren in Smartwatches und maschinellem Lernen könnten derartige Umgebungen bald real werden. Aber welche Funktionen eines »Cognitive Environments« würden positiv aufgenommen werden und an welcher Stelle wäre mit Skepsis zu rechnen? Welchen Stellenwert hat die persönliche Kontrolle bei der Aktivierung einzelner Funktionen? Wäre es vorstellbar, das eigene Präferenzprofil mit anderen zu teilen? Um das herauszufinden, wurden im Projekt Office 21 rund 50 mögliche Funktionen für Nutzende und Betreiber in einer Online-Befragung untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen großes Interesse potenzieller Nutzerinnen und Nutzer, geben aber auch Hinweise zu möglichen Herausforderungen bei der Umsetzung." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Rietze, Sarah & Hannes Zacher (2023): Healthy New Work: Auswirkung agiler Arbeit auf die psychische Gesundheit. In: Personal quarterly, Jg. 75, H. 3, S. 32-38.

Abstract

"Unternehmen führen agile Praktiken ein, um Leistung und Innovation zu steigern. Welche Auswirkungen diese Praktiken auf Arbeitsmerkmale und die psychische Gesundheit von Beschäftigten haben, wurde bislang nicht untersucht. Es wurde eine Fragebogenstudie mit zwei Messzeitpunkten und 260 Beschäftigten in agilen Teams durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass agile Praktiken positiven Auswirkungen auf die psychische Gesundheit (höheres Engagement, geringere Ermüdung), vermittelt durch reduzierte Arbeitsanforderungen und erhöhte Ressourcen, haben." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku, © Haufe-Lexware)

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Santiago-Vela, Ana & Anja Hall (2023): Distinguishing challenging and overchallenging jobs: Cognitive and affective skills mismatches and their impact on job satisfaction. In: Research in Comparative and International Education, Jg. 18, H. 1, S. 55-78. DOI:10.1177/17454999221116486

Abstract

"This study supplements the existing conceptualisation of skills mismatch based on cognitive evaluations (being underskilled or overskilled) with an affective aspect that captures how workers cope with skills (mis)match situations (feeling overchallenged or underchallenged) and an analysis of skills mismatch situations’ influence on job satisfaction of workers with higher education (HE) and vocational education and training (VET). Using the German BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey 2018, the results indicated that underskilling by itself was not negatively associated with job satisfaction; however, underskilling in combination with feeling overchallenged exerted a significant negative influence on job satisfaction. This corroborates the approach of differentiating challenging (i.e. non-detrimental) jobs from overchallenging jobs. Overskilling was associated with penalties regarding job satisfaction, whereas overskilling in combination with underchallenging jobs produced a remarkably larger negative impact on job satisfaction. Moreover, overskilled HE workers received larger penalties regarding job satisfaction than those received by overskilled VET workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Stephan, Gesine, Clemens Hetschko, Julia Schmidtke, Mario Lawes, Michael Eid & Ronnie Schöb (2023): Das „German Job Search Panel“: Die Effekte von Arbeitslosigkeit und Covid19 auf das Wohlbefinden. (IAB-Forschungsbericht 19/2023), Nürnberg, 21 S. DOI:10.48720/IAB.FB.2319

Abstract

"Zu den Auswirkungen von Arbeitslosigkeit auf das Wohlbefinden gibt es bereits eine Vielzahl von Studien (für einen Überblick s. z.B. Suppa 2021). Allerdings basieren diese in der Regel nicht auf hochfrequenten (also in kurzen Zeitabständen erfassten) Daten und erheben meist nur ausgewählte Dimensionen des Wohlbefindens. Im Rahmen eines DFG-geförderten Projektes befragte das „German Job Search Panel“ (GJSP) in den Jahren von 2017 bis 2021 zunächst arbeitsuchend gemeldete Personen daher monatlich zu ihrem Wohlbefinden. Die Erhebung erfolgte mit einer innovativen Smartphone-App. Anhand der Cortisolkonzentration im Haar wurde zudem die Stressbelastung der Befragten gemessen. Auf dieser Basis lässt sich sehr differenziert untersuchen, wie sich kritische Lebensereignisse - wie ein Eintritt in Arbeitslosigkeit - auf das Wohlbefinden auswirken. Zielgruppe der Befragung waren Personen, die sich zunächst arbeitsuchend gemeldet hatten. Denn ein zentrales Ziel des Projektes war es, den Auswirkungen des Eintritts in Arbeitslosigkeit auf die verschiedenen Facetten des Wohlbefindens nachzugehen. Nur ein Teil der Personen, die sich als arbeitssuchend registrieren, wird tatsächlich arbeitslos. Damit steht eine natürliche Vergleichsgruppe für diejenigen Personen zur Verfügung, die tatsächlich arbeitslos werden. Dies gilt insbesondere für Personen, die von Massenentlassungen und Betriebsschließungen betroffen waren. Denn bei diesen hängt die Wahrscheinlichkeit des Arbeitsplatzverlustes vornehmlich von externen Faktoren ab. Insgesamt nahmen anfangs knapp 1.900 Personen an einer ersten Kohorte und knapp 1.000 Personen an einer zweiten Kohorte des GJSP teil. Zwei Methodenberichte erläutern das Design der Befragung und die Selektion in die Befragung in Detail (Hetschko et al. 2022, Schmidtke et al. 2023). Das GJSP ermöglicht es unter anderem, die unmittelbaren Effekte des Eintritts in Arbeitslosigkeit bei zuvor arbeitssuchend gemeldeten Personen zu untersuchen. Wie ein erstes Teilprojekt (Lawes et al. 2023) zeigt, hat Arbeitslosigkeit unmittelbare negative Effekte auf die Zufriedenheit mit dem Haushaltseinkommen. Bei Personen, die sich aufgrund einer Entlassungswelle arbeitssuchend gemeldet hatten, sank mit Eintritt in die Arbeitslosigkeit auch unmittelbar die Lebenszufriedenheit. Wenn Personen aus anderen Gründen arbeitslos wurden, stieg beim Eintritt in die Arbeitslosigkeit hingegen die Zufriedenheit mit der Freizeit, und die Lebenszufriedenheit sank erst mit fortschreitender Zeit in Arbeitslosigkeit. Andere untersuchte Dimensionen des Wohlbefindens veränderten sich hingegen durch den Eintritt der Arbeitslosigkeit nicht signifikant. Durch die wiederholte Messung von Haarcortisol untersuchte ein weiteres Teilprojekt (Lawes et al. 2022) erstmals, wie sich die Arbeitssuche auf einen Biomarker für chronischen Stress auswirkt. Der Cortisolgehalt war kurz nach der Meldung als „arbeitsuchend“ am höchsten - also in einer Zeit mit tendenziell hoher Unsicherheit bezüglich der beruflichen Zukunft. In der Folge sank das Haarcortisol - unabhängig davon, ob die Betroffenen tatsächlich arbeitslos wurden. Zudem hatten bereits länger arbeitslose Personen eine höhere Haarcortisol-Konzentration, wenn sie ihre Wiederbeschäftigungschancen vergleichsweise schlecht einschätzten. Körperlichen Stress löst der Eintritt in Arbeitslosigkeit also nur dann aus, wenn Menschen davon ausgehen, dass ihre Wiederbeschäftigungsmöglichkeiten gering sind. Schmidtke et al. (2023) zeigten schließlich in einem weiteren Teilprojekt, dass die Covid19-Pandemie nur schwache und vorübergehende Effekte auf die allgemeine Lebenszufriedenheit hatte. Die mentale Gesundheit der Befragten war hingegen stärker beeinträchtigt. Insbesondere traf dies auf Menschen in Kurzarbeit zu. Insgesamt zeigten sich aber gewisse Anpassungseffekte an die Krise: Die zweite Welle der Pandemie wirkte sich geringer auf die Lebenszufriedenheit und die mentale Gesundheit aus als die erste Welle." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Wen, Le, Sholeh A. Maani & Zhi Dong (2023): Educational job mismatch, job satisfaction, on-the-job training, and employee quit behaviour: a dynamic analytical approach. In: Applied Economics, Jg. 55, H. 56, S. 6605-6626. DOI:10.1080/00036846.2022.2161990

Abstract

"This paper extends the literature on the consequences of over-education, in particular quit outcomes. It is the first study that explicitly tests the impact of job satisfaction and on-the-job training for workers in educational mismatched jobs and on quit behaviour using a longitudinal data set. Accounting for unobserved heterogeneity and endogeneity, the dynamic analytical framework examines labour market outcomes for job-mismatched workers. We find that over-education alone, or accompanied by skill under-utilization in combination with lower job satisfaction, increases the incidences of job quitting. Opportunities for training facilitate the retention of initially job-mismatched workers. These results have implications for interpreting mismatch data, retention, and resource allocation." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Altonji, Joseph G., John Eric Humphries & Ling Zhong (2022): The Effects of Advanced Degrees on the Wage Rates, Hours, Earnings and Job Satisfaction of Women and Men. (IZA discussion paper 15010), Bonn, 95 S.

Abstract

"This paper uses a college-by-graduate degree fixed effects estimator to evaluate the returns to 19 different graduate degrees for men and women. We find substantial variation across degrees, and evidence that OLS over-estimates the returns to degrees with the highest average earnings and underestimates the returns to degrees with the lowest average earnings. Second, we decompose the impacts on earnings into effects on wage rates and effects on hours. For most degrees, the earnings gains come from increased wage rates, though hours play an important role in some degrees, such as medicine, especially for women. Third, we estimate the net present value and internal rate of return for each degree, which account for the time and monetary costs of degrees. Finally, we provide descriptive evidence that satisfaction gains are large for some degrees with smaller economic returns, such as education and humanities degrees, especially for men." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Asuyama, Yoko (2022): Doing boss-like tasks and worker well-being: Job enrichment revisited. In: Labour, Jg. 36, H. 2, S. 196-230. DOI:10.1111/labr.12217

Abstract

"This study revisits the relationship between job enrichment and worker well-being by analysing worker-level data from around 20 countries. Job enrichment, which vertically expands jobs, is primarily measured by the novel ‘boss-like tasks’ indicator, constructed from 42 task-frequency data. The aim of job enrichment is to motivate workers. However, the study finds that even though average non-boss workers doing more boss-like tasks earn higher wages, they are not necessarily more satisfied with their jobs. The non-positive or slightly negative association with satisfaction becomes positive when workers have low-skilled blue-collar jobs or when tasks involving planning and organizing are enriched." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Bölsch-Peterka, Ronja, Martin Krowicki, Aliena Schmidtke & Irina Böckelmann (2022): Durchführung von digitalen Arbeitssituationsanalysen für die mobil-flexible Arbeit zur Erhebung von psychischen Belastungsfolgen. Befragung von Mitarbeiter*innen einer öffentlichen Verwaltung zu Homeoffice – Erfahrungen während der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie. In: Zentralblatt für Arbeitsmedizin, Arbeitsschutz und Ergonomie, Jg. 72, H. 3, S. 115-128. DOI:10.1007/s40664-022-00460-2

Abstract

"Im Zuge der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie wurde die Arbeit in vielen Betrieben nach Hause verlagert und innerhalb kurzer Zeit hat sich die Arbeitssituation der Beschäftigten schnell verändert. Um mögliche Belastungen zu identifizieren und gesundheitliche Ressourcen auszubauen, sind fundierte Analysen der Arbeitssituation notwendig. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, auch in Zeiten mit Kontaktbeschränkungen, fundierte Analysen im Bereich des Betrieblichen Gesundheitsmanagements anzubieten. Mithilfe von digitalen Arbeitssituationsanalysen (ASITA) sollte die Homeoffice-Tätigkeit in einer öffentlichen Verwaltung erfasst und Handlungsempfehlungen abgeleitet werden. Mittels digitaler ASITAs wurden 3 Gruppen (16 Beschäftigte) zu ihrer Arbeitssituation im Homeoffice befragt. Eingeschlossen wurden Beschäftigte, die innerhalb der letzten 12 Wochen vor der Befragung an mindestens 2 Tagen pro Woche im Homeoffice gearbeitet haben. Das Arbeiten im Homeoffice stellt Anforderungen an die Beschäftigten, die wiederum positive als auch negative Beanspruchungsfolgen mit sich bringen. Aufseiten der Arbeitsorganisation ergaben sich individuelle Vorteile, wie der Wegfall von Arbeitswegen oder eine bessere Zeiteinteilung. Hinsichtlich der Kommunikation im Unternehmen fehlten klare Strukturen zur Arbeit im Homeoffice. Digitale ASITAs können ein aussagekräftiges Instrument sein, um gesundheitliche Belastungen und Ressourcen auch in Unternehmen mit mobil-flexiblen Arbeitsmodellen zu untersuchen. Wie am Beispiel der Pandemie gezeigt, bedingt ein Wandel der Arbeitssituation einen kontinuierlichen Reflexionsprozess, bei dem die Gesundheit der Beschäftigten eine wesentliche Säule sein muss." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Carleton, Cheryl & Mary T. Kelly (2022): Happy at Work - Possible at Any Age? (Villanova School of Business working paper 51), Villanova, PA, 31 S.

Abstract

"With the growing attachment of older workers to the labor force and their engagement in alternative work arrangements, it is important to investigate the characteristics of older cohorts of individuals who are in the labor market and the factors that influence job satisfaction, as job satisfaction may be a predictor of which older individuals are likely to continue to work and in what type of work arrangement. This study uses several recent years of the General Social Survey to both explore the characteristics of older workers and investigate what contributes to job satisfaction, controlling for both gender and work arrangement. It splits the sample of workers into two cohorts to test for differences in job satisfaction between those who are nearing retirement age (55-64) and those who continue to work post the traditional retirement age (65-80). For the sample as a whole, and similar to other studies, we find that job satisfaction is higher for women and for those who work in alternative work arrangements as compared to those in regular jobs. We also find that there are differences in what contributes to job satisfaction between the two groups of older workers. These outcomes may inform firms about what they might do in order to keep these workers as well as informing the government on whether it is necessary to rethink how some benefits are both provided and paid for." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Clark, Andrew E., Maria Cotofan & Richard Layard (2022): The Full Returns to the Choice of Occupation and Education. (IZA discussion paper 15279), Bonn, 57 S.

Abstract

"Information on both earnings and non-pecuniary rewards is needed to understand the occupational dispersion of wellbeing. We analyse subjective wellbeing in a large UK sample to construct a measure of "full earnings", the sum of earnings and the value of non-pecuniary rewards, in 90 different occupations. Labour-market inequality is underestimated: the dispersion of full earnings is one-third larger than the dispersion of earnings. Equally, the gender and ethnic gaps in the labour market are larger than those in earnings alone, and the full returns to education on the labour market are underestimated. These results are similar in data on US workers. In neither cross-section nor panel data do we find evidence of compensating differentials." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Döbler, Antonia-Sophie, Andre Emmermacher, Stefanie Richter-Killenberg, Joshua Nowak & Jürgen Wegge (2022): New insights into self-initiated work design: the role of job crafting, self-undermining and five types of job satisfaction for employee's health and work ability. In: German Journal of Human Resource Management, Jg. 36, H. 2, S. 113-147. DOI:10.1177/23970022211029023

Abstract

"The present study provides evidence for the important role of job crafting and self-undermining behaviors at work, two new concepts that were recently integrated into the well-known job demands-resources (JD-R) theory (Bakker and Demerouti, 2017). We investigate how these behaviors are associated with work engagement, emotional exhaustion, and work ability as a long-term indicator of employee’s well-being. Furthermore, we examine the moderating role of personal resources in the stress-strain process by comparing groups of employees representing the five types of job satisfaction defined by Bruggemann (1974). Data was collected in a cross-sectional study within a German DAX company’s manufacturing plant from 1145 blue- and white-collar workers. Results of structural equation modeling provided, as expected, support for an indirect effect of job demands and job resources on emotional exhaustion and work engagement through job crafting and self-undermining. Work ability, on the other hand, was mainly affected by emotional exhaustion, but not by work engagement. Most important, we found significant differences between path coefficients across the five types of job satisfaction indicating that these types represent important constellations of personal resources and job demands that should be considered both for analyzing stress at work and for offering tailored stress interventions in organizations." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Grolleau, Gilles, Naoufel Mzoughi & Sanja Pekovic (2022): An empirical analysis of the relationship between innovation activities and job satisfaction among French firms. In: Journal of vocational behavior, Jg. 133. DOI:10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103689

Abstract

"Drawing on the literature on innovation climate and employee attitudes, we discuss how innovations could impact job satisfaction. Using lagged predictors and relevant control variables, we investigate empirically this relationship on a large sample of French firms. Our estimation results show that employees in companies that engage in innovation activities are more likely to report increased job satisfaction. Moreover, building on previous organizational research arguing that layoffs are likely to create detrimental workplace atmosphere and conditions, we test whether the relationship between innovation and job satisfaction is moderated by downsizing decisions among the examined firms. We draw several theoretical and managerial implications." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2022 Elsevier) ((en))

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Grunau, Philipp, Hannes Walz & Stefanie Wolter (2022): Arbeiten vor und während der Pandemie. (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales. Forschungsbericht 604), Berlin, 66 S.

Abstract

"Die Art wie wir arbeiten unterlag schon immer einem gewissen Wandel, von der Industrialisierung über die Entstehung und Konsolidierung des Sozialstaats bis hin zu Digitalisierung und Flexibilisierung der heutigen Zeit („Arbeiten 4.0“). Dennoch scheint sich dieser Wandel in den letzten Jahren beschleunigt zu haben, insbesondere im Zuge der von der Corona-Pandemie geprägten vergangenen zwei Jahre. Dieser Bericht stellt daher die Veränderungen „erlebter Arbeit“ zwischen 2013 und 2021 dar, betrachtet somit also sowohl die Zeit vor als auch während der Pandemie. Dabei stehen die Beschäftigtenperspektive und somit subjektive Dimensionen im Fokus. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine hohe Arbeitsdichte, mit hohem Termindruck bis 2017 und einer verstärkten Erreichbarkeit in der Freizeit. Gleichzeitig sinkt aber auch der Anteil der Beschäftigten, die Vereinbarkeits-Konflikte in Form von Störungen des Privatlebens durch Berufliches erleben. Die Arbeitszufriedenheit ist hoch, die Bindung an den Betrieb nimmt jedoch über die Zeit etwas ab, ein Trend, der während der Pandemie 2021 gebrochen wurde – ob nun temporär oder langfristig, müssen die kommenden Jahre und Befragungswellen zeigen. Während der Pandemie zeigen die Regressionsergebnisse, dass viele Unterschiede in der Wahrnehmung zwischen verschiedenen Beschäftigtengruppen kleiner werden. Für befristete Beschäftigte hingegen finden wir Anzeichen, dass die Arbeitsqualität 2021 wahrscheinlich aufgrund der wirtschaftlichen Lage schlechter geworden ist. Unvermindert stabil sind hingegen die Kollegialität und Hilfsbereitschaft unter KollegInnen. Bei der Analyse von Veränderungen der Arbeit basierend auf Berichten von Beschäftigten besteht natürlich potenziell der Nachteil, dass öffentliche Diskussionen über Themen der Arbeitsqualität möglicherweise Beschäftigte vor der Befragung dazu gebracht haben, ihre Arbeit neu zu bewerten, ohne dass sich für den Einzelnen/die Einzelne zwangsläufig objektive Änderung ergeben hätten. Nichtsdestotrotz bietet eine Betrachtung der Arbeitsqualität seitens von Beschäftigten unschätzbare Vorteile, nicht zuletzt da diese – subjektiven – Einschätzungen letztendlich deren Verhalten bestimmen, was insbesondere in Zeiten von Fachkräfteengpässen von Bedeutung ist." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Herr, Raphael M., Luisa L. Brokmeier, Joachim E. Fischer & Daniel Mauss (2022): The Benefits of an Employee-Friendly Company on Job Attitudes and Health of Employees: Findings from Matched Employer–Employee Data. In: International journal of environmental research and public health, Jg. 19, H. 15. DOI:10.3390/ijerph19159046

Abstract

"This study explored the association of an employee-friendly work environment with employees’ job attitudes (engagement, commitment, turnover intentions, and job satisfaction), and health (mental and general health), applying matched employer–employee data. The German Linked Personnel Panel (LPP; n = 14,182) survey simultaneously captures the data of employees and the human resources (HR) management of companies. A two-step cluster analysis of 16 items of the HR valuation identified relatively more- and less-employee-friendly companies (EFCs). Logistic regressions tested differences between these companies in the assessment of job attitudes and health of their employees. Compared to less-EFCS, more-EFCS had a reduced risk of poorer job attitudes and substandard health of their employees. For example, the risk for higher turnover intentions was reduced by 33% in more-EFCS (OR = 0.683, 95% C.I. = 0.626–0.723), and more-EFCS had an 18% reduced chance of poor mental health reporting of their employees (OR = 0.822, 95% C.I. = 0.758–0.892). More-EFCS have more motivated and healthier employees. The most distinct factors for more-EFCS were: the existence of development plans for employees, opportunities for advancement and development, and personnel development measures." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © MDPI) ((en))

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Korsgren, Pontus & Max van Lent (2022): Earmarked Paternity Leave and Well-Being. (IZA discussion paper 15022), Bonn, 24 S.

Abstract

"Earmarked paternity leave has been introduced in an attempt to increase fathers' involvement in child rearing and to achieve gender equality in the labor market and at home. So far well-being effects of such policies are unexplored. This paper takes a first step in that direction by studying the impact of earmarked paternity leave quota on life satisfaction, job satisfaction, and work-life balance using several policy changes in Europe over the period 1993-2007. We find that earmarked paternity leave increases life satisfaction by 0.18 on a 10 point scale which is equivalent to a 10.8 percentage point increase even decades later. Both fathers and mothers benefit, though the increase in life satisfaction for mothers is nearly 30% higher than that of fathers. Perhaps surprisingly, the impact on job satisfaction and work-life balance is close to zero. Hence even when the impact of paternity leave quota on the labor market are small, the increases in life satisfaction may still justify the existence of such policies." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Kortmann, Lisa Katharina, Julia Simonson, Claudia Vogel & Oliver Huxhold (2022): Digitalisation and Employees' Subjective Job Quality in the Second Half of Working Life in Germany. In: Social indicators research, Jg. 162, H. 2, S. 577-597. DOI:10.1007/s11205-021-02854-w

Abstract

"Since digitalisation alters occupational task profiles via automation processes, job quality is also likely to be affected. While existing literature mainly focusses on objective job quality, this study asks if and how digitalisation is associated with employees’ subjective job quality in the second half of working life in Germany. Analyses are based on the German Ageing Survey 2014. Our sample includes n = 1541 employees aged 40–65 years who are subject to social insurance contributions. Subjective job quality is operationalised with regards to job satisfaction and perceived occupational stress in general, and ten aspects of job quality in detail. Digitalisation is approximated by substitution potentials of occupations. We control the association for compositional effects in the workforce, as well as for the moderating effect of perceived job insecurity. The results indicate that digitalisation is predominantly beneficial but also unfavourable in a few other respects for employees’ subjective job quality. The higher the degree of digitalisation, the higher is the employee’s general job satisfaction on average; for general perceived occupational stress, we find no significant association. Regarding single aspects of subjective job quality, employees working in more digitalised occupations are found to report on average higher satisfaction with working hours and earnings, and lower levels of stress due to tight schedules. However, they also report higher levels of stress due to negative environmental factors." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Kümmerling, Angelika, Gerhard Bosch, Frederic Hüttenhoff & Claudia Weinkopf (2022): Viel Schatten, aber auch etwas Licht. Die Situation der Baubeschäftigten – Ergebnisse einer Online-Beschäftigtenbefragung. (IAQ-Report 2022-06), Duisburg ; Essen, 24 S. DOI:10.17185/duepublico/76127

Abstract

"Eine Online-Befragung unter 3052 Baubeschäftigten zeigt, dass rund jeder vierte Beschäftigte in “näherer Zukunft“ beabsichtigt, seinen Arbeitgeber oder sogar die Branche zu wechseln. Baubeschäftigte beschreiben ihren Beruf als abwechslungsreich, vielfältig und lernförderlich und schätzen die Entscheidungsspielräume. Negativ werden die hohe körperliche Belastung und die Verdichtung der Arbeit durch neue Technologien gesehen. Ein hoher Anteil berichtet auch, dass der Fachkräftemangel in ihrem Betrieb bereits spürbar sei. Die Unzufriedenheit mit den Arbeitsbedingungen insgesamt, den Arbeitszeiten und der Bezahlung ist hoch und stellt einen Hauptgrund für Wechselabsichten dar. Nur gut jeder fünfte Arbeiter ist der Meinung, seinen Beruf bis zum gesetzlichen Renten-Einstiegsalter durchhalten zu können. Arbeiter wünschen sich einen Renteneintritt mit 60,7 Jahren, Angestellte mit 61,7 Jahren. Die Wechselneigung ist nicht betriebsunabhängig: Beschäftigte, die ihren Betrieb für zukunftsfähig halten und die das Betriebsklima als gut einschätzen, zeigen eine geringere Wechselneigung." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Pelly, Diane (2022): Worker well-being and quit intentions: is measuring job satisfaction enough? (UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy discussion paper series 2022,04), Dublin, 50 S.

Abstract

"While the links between worker well-being and quit intentions have been well researched, most studies to date rely on a very narrow conceptualisation of well-being, namely job satisfaction, thus ignoring the documented multidimensionality of subjective well-being. This paper explores whether this approach is justified. Using novel survey data, I compare the extent to which hedonic (job satisfaction and affect) and eudemonic (disengagement and basic psychological needs) well-being indicators individually and jointly explain variation in the quit intentions of 994 full-time UK workers. Well-being indicators perform well, explaining four to nine times more variation in quit intentions than wages and hours combined, with the disengagement measure performing best. I find systematic differences in the hedonic and eudemonic well-being profiles of workers who report positive quit intentions and those who do not. A composite model containing all seven well-being indicators offers the best fit, explaining 29.4% of variation in quit intentions versus 24.0% for job satisfaction on its own. My findings suggest that the standard single-item job satisfaction indicator is probably good enough for organisations who are looking for a quick and easy way to identify workers who may be most at risk of forming positive quit intentions. For organisations seeking to develop effective preventative quit strategies however, supplementing single-item job satisfaction with multifaceted well-being indicators is likely to yield valuable additional insights." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Pohlig, Matthias, Sabine Israel & Irene Dingeldey (2022): Does the household context matter for job satisfaction among low-wage workers? In: Economic and Industrial Democracy, Jg. 43, H. 3, S. 1028-1058. DOI:10.1177/0143831X20975865

Abstract

"Previous research has established that low-wage earners have on average lower job satisfaction. However, several studies have found personal characteristics, such as gender, age and educational level, moderate this negative impact. This article demonstrates additional factors at the household level, which have not yet been empirically investigated, and which may exacerbate gender differences. The authors analyse the job satisfaction of low-wage earners depending on the contribution of individual earnings to the household income and on household deprivation using the 2013 special wave of the EU-SILC for 18 European countries. The study finds that single earners in low-wage employment report lower job satisfaction whereas low-wage employment does not seem to make a difference for secondary earners. Furthermore, low-wage earners? job satisfaction is linked with the ability of their household to make ends meet." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schlägel, Christopher, Robert L. Engle & Guido Lang (2022): The unique and common effects of emotional intelligence dimensions on job satisfaction and facets of job performance: an exploratory study in three countries. In: The International Journal of Human Resource Management, Jg. 33, H. 8, S. 1562-1605. DOI:10.1080/09585192.2020.1811368

Abstract

"Previous empirical studies have either used a unidimensional or a multidimensional analytical approach to examine the consequences of emotional intelligence (EI). In this exploratory study we integrate and extend these two approaches, using a novel perspective to better understand the structure of the EI-job satisfaction and the EI-job performance relationship. Using commonality analysis and data from Germany, India, as well as the U.S. we partition the explained variance for job satisfaction, in- role performance, and extra-role performance into the variance that is uniquely explained by the individual EI dimensions and the variance that is common to sets of EI dimensions. We provide evidence that the EI dimensions are differently related to job satisfaction and job performance facets. Furthermore, the findings offer insights on how unique and common effects vary across countries. Partitioning the unique and commonly shared variance allows us to assess the true predictive power of individual EI dimensions and of sets of EI dimensions. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for theory development and provide future research directions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Wilcox, Annika & Amanda Koontz (2022): Workplace well-being: Shifting from an individual to an organizational framework. In: Sociology Compass, Jg. 16, H. 10. DOI:10.1111/soc4.13035

Abstract

"Well-being (or lack thereof) is one phenomena that is shaped by and has important implications for organizational (in)equalities, yet remains widely conceptualized at an individual level. Through a review of previous research on organizational inequality and diversity, we argue for a shift towards studying “workplace well-being”—well-being as created by and through work organizations. We identify and discuss three pillars of workplace well-being and consider how these pillars are constituted across three levels of analysis. We note that “workplace well-being” offers a more theoretically- and empirically-grounded framework for understanding how well-being operates in the workplace. This concept can be utilized to “check” where organizational change is needed and develop change initiatives that better support diversity, inclusivity, and equity." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Asuyama, Yoko (2021): Determinants of job interestingness: Comparison of Japan and other high-income countries. In: Labour Economics, Jg. 73. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2021.102082

Abstract

"Interest in a job enhances job satisfaction, learning, and task performance, and deters the job-holder from quitting. This paper quantifies the importance of the key determinants of job interestingness for the first time. It also explores the reasons why there are much fewer interesting jobs in Japan than in other high-income countries (H). Decomposition analyses are performed using the International Social Survey Programme and Japanese panel survey data. In both H and Japan, interest match and prosocial meaning of the job are two of the three most important predictors of job interestingness. The third top predictor is job autonomy in H, whereas in Japan it is relatedness (relationship with management and colleagues), implying that the most effective ways to make a job interesting vary across cultures and work organizations. The largest factor explaining the job interestingness gap between Japan and H is Japan's lower level of job autonomy, although promoting autonomy is a less effective way to enhance job interestingness in Japan." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2022 Elsevier) ((en))

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Bernhardt, Alexandra (2021): Coworking-Atmosphären. Zum Zusammenspiel von kuratierten Räumen und der Sicht der Coworkenden als raumhandelnde Subjekte. (Research), Wiesbaden: Springer, 512 S. DOI:10.1007/978-3-658-35888-4

Abstract

"Die Studie von Alexandra Bernhardt beschäftigt sich mit Coworking Spaces und ihren Atmosphären. Neben einer umfassenden Betrachtung der Rolle von Atmosphären wird die besondere Bedeutung von Gemeinschaft im Kontext dieser Arbeitsräume näher beleuchtet. Den Kern der Untersuchung bilden zwei Fallstudien in urbanen Coworking Spaces, wobei ein an der Ethnografie orientiertes, methodenplurales qualitatives Forschungsdesign verfolgt wird. Im Rahmen der Analyse wird zum einen betrachtet, was Coworking im Alltag und damit die neue Gemeinschaftlichkeit bei der Arbeit ausmacht: Dabei werden relevante Praktiken und Rituale, räumliche Arrangements und Atmosphären in ihrer Komposition herausgearbeitet. Zum anderen rücken die Coworkenden, ihr Raumhandeln und damit verbundene Haltungen näher in den Blick: Es wird aufgezeigt, wie sich die Nutzer*innen Coworking Spaces als Arbeits- und Gemeinschaftsräume erschließen und welche Rolle Atmosphären spielen. Zudem werden soziale Gebilde herausgestellt, die von den Coworkenden in Bezug auf ihren Coworking Space aufgegriffen werden und die den Coworking-Space-Alltag mitprägen. Auch werden Spannungen aufgedeckt, die aus einem Nebeneinander von Gemeinschafts- und Dienstleistungslogik entstehen, und der Umgang damit näher betrachtet." (Verlagsangaben, IAB-Doku)

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Binder, Martin & Ann-Kathrin Blankenberg (2021): Identity and Well-Being in the Skilled Crafts and Trades. (Working paper / The Levy Economics Institute 997), Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, 61 S.

Abstract

"We analyze the extent to which occupational identity is conducive to worker well-being. Using a unique survey dataset of individuals working in the German skilled crafts and trades, we use a novel occupational identity measure that captures identity more broadly than just referring to organizational identification and social group membership, but rather comprises personal and relational elements inherent in one's work. The latter are linked to significant social interactions a worker has in their job and the former to specific work characteristics of the work conducted itself. We find that higher job satisfaction is related to a stronger sense of occupational identity in our sample. This relationship is quite sizable and robust across model specifications, whereas income is not associated with job satisfaction in most models. Occupational identity is positively associated with a number of work characteristics, viz. task significance, task and skill variety, as well as social support, and our analysis shows that identity mediates the influence of these characteristics with regard to job satisfaction." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))