Does Learning, Development and Work Life Balance Affects Happiness: A Moderated Mediatory Model

Muhammad Haris Ullah ,Danish Ahmed Siddiqui

doi:10.5296/hrr.v4i1.16615

Abstract

Keeping the workforce happy is a major issue faced by today’s employers. The big challenge is to find what job-related factors can lead to happiness, the bigger challenge is to identify the sources that lead to happiness. We proposed a theoretical framework based on the research of (Joshanloo & Jarden, 2016) which studied hedonism as a major cause of happiness when moderated by individualism. We further extended the model, including career related goals that effect hedonism. Hence, we theorized that, work life balance, career development, learning affect hedonism, which subsequently effects happiness. Moreover, individualistic societies are proven to be more hedonistic (tend to value pleasure) and are more closely linked with happiness as compared to collectivist societies. Empirical validity was established by conducting a survey using a close ended questionnaire. Data was collected from 219 respondents from different organizations of Pakistan and was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structured equation modeling to test the hypotheses testing the impact of all three career related factors to see how significantly they affect hedonism, which would ultimately have an impact on happiness. Results indicate that Individualism plays a significant positive role on happiness, as well as in directly, is it negatively complements the inverse effect of Hedonism on Happiness. Findings imply that the career related factors positively affect hedonism that would in turn bring more happiness. Most importantly, seeking pleasure is necessary to bring happiness. This study will benefit organizations working in Pakistan to identify the valuable sources of keeping their employees happy.

Highlights

1.1 Background to the StudyHappiness is an important element in everyone’s lives and is a source of satisfaction and positivity
Understanding the importance of keeping employees happy and in search of avenues leading to this desired result, this study aims to discover whether career development, learning and work-life balance have a strong association and can lead to the happiness of employees working in Pakistani organizations
The researcher has intended to further add to the literature and expand the knowledge of this area of study by testing the effect of the variables of work life balance, learning and career development on happiness where Hedonism is a mediator while Individualism vs collectivism (Hofstede cultural dimensions) moderates the effect on the Pakistani workforce

Summary

Introduction

Happiness is an important element in everyone’s lives and is a source of satisfaction and positivity. Known as positive psychology, is an important factor in one’s personal life, and plays an essential role in the professional lives, and is an important element for business performance and productivity. Happiness is the essential source of employee wellbeing in the workplace, but there are several other drivers of that lead to a better working environment. An example of such drivers includes career development prospects. Known as career-related affective well-being, relates to the subjective feeling of workers about the positive or negative effect of carrying out specific work activities in a given environment in existence. Career Development is a crucial factor that attracts an employee towards any job or position in an organization, the future career direction is considered as a priority by many when opting for a job. (Goffee & Scase, 1992)

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion