Agile work practices: opportunities and risks for occupational well-being

Abstract

This article in the journal “Group. Interaction. Organization. (GIO)” presents the results of a study on the opportunities and risks of agile work practices (AWP) for occupational well-being. AWP have become an integral part of project work today, and they significantly change processes of collaboration and work design. However, findings on the relationships between AWP and occupational well-being are inconsistent. Based on job demands-resources theory, this study investigates concrete relationships between specific AWP, job demands and resources, and occupational well-being. Data were collected using qualitative interviews with 14 individuals working in agile teams in different organizations. Opportunities and risks were reported for almost all AWP, except for incrementation practice. Results confirm our propositions that the relationships are heterogeneous and should be investigated in a more differentiated way. In addition, various personal and organizational resources impacting these relationships are explored. The results serve as an important theoretical body and a basis for further research in this field. Furthermore, they raise awareness of opportunities and risks of agile teamwork and provide practical suggestions for its implementation.