Work hours, work intensity, satisfactions and psychological well-being among Turkish manufacturing managers

Abstract

This research examined the relationship of a newly developed measure of work intensity and of work hours on potential antecedents and work and well-being consequences. Data were collected from 877 male and female managers and professionals working in a variety of organizations in the manufacturing sector in Turkey using anonymously completed questionnaires, a 58 percent response rate. The 15 item measure of work intensity was found to have high internal consistency reliability. Work intensity was significantly correlated with work hours, but weakly. Gender and organizational level predicted both work intensity and work hours; males, and respondents at higher organizational levels indicated greater work intensity and more work hours. Hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for personal demographic and work situation characteristics, showed that work intensity but not work hours was a consistent and significant predictor of work outcomes (e.g., job satisfaction, work engagement) and psychological well-being (e.g., exhaustion). The interaction of work intensity and work hours was not a significant predictor of work or well-being outcomes. Interestingly, work intensity was positively related to work outcomes and negatively related to indicators or psychological well-being.