Higher Levels Of Work Research Articles

Work–family conflict: A classed phenomenon?

Prior research has found that high levels of work–family conflict negatively impact women's well-being. However, variations in the effects of work–family conflict on women based on class have been understudied. Moreover, most estimates of work–family conflict did not distinguish between work-to-family and family-to-work conflict. This study uses data from a cross-sectional phone survey of Icelandic women to assess the association between work–family conflict (in both directions) and symptoms of depression and anxiety among women of differing class positions. Key findings showed that (a) work-to-family and family-to-work conflict were positively related to symptoms of anxiety and depression among all women, but these relationships were contingent on class; (b) working-class women are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety due to work-to-family conflict than women of higher social strata; and (c) working-class women are more likely to experience symptoms of depression due to family-to-work conflict than women of higher social strata. The results demonstrate the need for further research on how women's ability to reconcile work and family varies by class and how public policy can account for such differences.

Perceived clinical challenges when treating patients from different cultures: A study among psychiatry trainees in Norway

The growing number of migrant patients in western countries calls for better cross-cultural competence among health providers. As workplaces, hospitals have become increasingly multicultural, and many doctors are themselves of foreign origin, including psychiatrists. The aims of this study were to explore what clinical challenges International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and native-born Norwegian doctors training in psychiatry perceived when treating patients from other cultures, and what factors might be associated with such cross-cultural challenges. We developed a six-item inventory of perceived cross-cultural clinical challenges (PCC), to assess what cross-cultural problems trainees in psychiatry found most challenging. The PCC was completed by 216 trainees who also reported on individual- and work-related background factors. Comparisons of PCC between the two groups were done by one-way analysis of variance, and associations between PCC and background factors were analyzed by linear multiple regression. The overall response rate was 93%. Native -born Norwegian doctors reported higher levels of PCC than did IMGs. Both native-born Norwegian doctors and IMGs rated “assessing psychosis,” “assessing suicide risk,” and “lacking tools in cross-cultural consultations” as the most demanding challenges in cross-cultural consultations. Independent factors associated with higher PCC included being a native-born Norwegian doctor and experiencing high levels of work–home conflict. The findings suggest that trainees in psychiatry may need more training and better tools in cross-cultural assessment of mental disorders. Possible differences in PCC between native-born doctors and IMGs should be taken into consideration when developing mentoring programs, as should the doctors’ work–home conflict level, which might impact the PCC.

Relationship Between Work–Family Conflict and Support on Construction Professionals’ Family Satisfaction: An Integrated Model in Chile

In the construction industry in Chile, workers face high levels of work–family conflict due to demanding working conditions. This study examines the interactions between work–family conflict, perceived family and organizational support, and the legal regulatory framework on the family satisfaction of professionals in this sector. A sample of 500 workers is evaluated using the partial least squares structural equation method (PLS-SEM). The results highlight that both the legal regulatory framework and perceived family support significantly positively affect family satisfaction. Moreover, organizational support is limited in this situation, whereas work–family and family–work conflicts adversely affect family satisfaction. This study provides evidence for the design of labor policies in construction in Chile, emphasizing the importance of strengthening family support and the regulatory framework to improve work–family balance and workers’ well-being.

How working from home reshapes cities

In recent decades, economic activity has become increasingly concentrated in major global metropolises. Yet, the rise of working from home threatens this dominance of cities. Using multiple high-frequency datasets on spending, commuting, migration, and housing, we provide global evidence that remote work has dispersed economic activity away from city centers. We label this the "Donut Effect," which is much larger and more persistent in cities with high levels of remote work. Using detailed household microdata from the United States, we show that three-fifths of households that left city centers in big cities moved to the suburbs of the same city. This is likely explained by the rise of hybrid work, in which employees still commute to the office a few days a week. The enduring popularity of hybrid work into 2024 suggests that the Donut Effect will persist while also leaving broader metropolitan areas intact.

In between lived life and a social policy agenda: the Global South social question from the inside (Brazil)

This article aims to demonstrate how gender, class, and race are intertwined at the micro level, addressing the interaction of lived life and social policy, through biographical interviews, in Brazil. Less interested in the analysis of inequalities per se, this article focuses on the way black, elderly, poor, female heads of families, living in urban neighbourhoods, manage to subjectively resignify objective domination. The in-depth biographical approach reveals the (re)construction of their subjectivity, defining personal sacrifice as a form of protagonism (agency) and empowerment. This process of resignification occurs by exchanging the unit of experience they relate to, from the individual to the family unit. It engages with social policies (social assistance, public health, and social housing) implemented by the latest Labour Party’s term of office (2003–2016). These policies are based on the role of women as responsible for the family unit. The focus on subjectivity, in different Brazilian metropoles, challenges the production of conformed neoliberal selves, in this case of women, within a specific Global South context, marked by historically high levels of inequality and informal work, since the formal end of slavery.

The Association of Job Stress, Quality of Sleep, and the Experience of Near-Miss Errors among Nurses in General Hospitals.

This study investigated the association of job stress, quality of sleep, and near-miss error experiences among nurses working in general hospitals. A convenience sample of 195 nurses with over 3 months of work experience in a general hospital participated in the study. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0. Factors influencing experiences of near-miss errors were examined through univariable and multivariate logistic regression. In total, 58.5% of nurses in a general hospital had experienced near-miss errors. Nurses in the upper job stress tertile (≥118) were 2.24 times more likely to encounter near-miss errors (95% CI: 1.07-4.69) and particularly 2.58 times (95% CI: 1.26-5.26) in falls and medical equipment-related near-miss errors. Nurses working more than 3 h of overtime per week had a 2.72 times higher (95% CI: 1.35-5.48) likelihood of experiencing near-miss errors related to falls and medical equipment and 4.03 times higher (95% CI: 1.92-8.45) likelihood of experiencing near-miss errors associated with examination procedures. To prevent near-miss errors among nurses in general hospitals, effective management of organizational job stress is crucial. Particularly for departments with a high level of overtime work (more than 3 h/week), it is essential to provide and manage educational programs on patient safety.

Achieving social sustainability through lean manufacturing practices: Insights from structural equation model and system dynamics

The relationship between Lean Manufacturing (LM) practices and their impact on Social Sustainability (SOS) remains an area that warrants further investigation, especially in developing countries and industrial sectors with a high level of manual work in which there are many occupational diseases, where well-being is required by labor laws, such as Mexican maquiladora (MM) companies. Recognizing this research gap, this study explores and assesses the influence of LM practices on MM's SOS. The study proposed and evaluated a structural equation model (SEM) with eight hypotheses tested statistically using information obtained from 411 responses to a questionnaire distributed across the MM. WarpPLS software (version 8.0) was employed to validate the SEM and STELLA ARCHITECT V3.0.1, to evaluate a system dynamics model to simulate the longitudinal behavior of LM practices on SOS. The findings underscore the critical role of the 5 S methodology in facilitating the adoption of practices, such as Total Productive Maintenance, Quick changeover, and One-piece Flow, exhibiting positive repercussions on SOS. Notably, the study's estimates suggest a timeline of approximately 6.5 years to attain 100% implementation of these tools, while achieving complete SOS may extend to approximately 11.75 years. It is imperative to approach these projections cautiously, because of the dynamic nature of business environments, wherein unforeseen alterations may significantly influence these timelines. These estimates offer valuable insights into the potential temporal dynamics of LM practices and SOS implementations in industrial contexts.

The relationships between burnout profiles, teacher agency, and meaningful work of special education teachers

ABSTRACT Burnout is an increasing issue among special education teachers (SETs), impacting students, the education system, and society. This study aimed to identify burnout profiles of SETs and explore the relationship between these profiles and the levels of teacher agency and meaningful work. Latent profile analysis was used to define burnout profiles as assessed by the three dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The data was collected from SETs (n = 258) in the Turkey sample through an online survey. Five burnout profiles were identified: (1) Burnout (31%), (2) Disengaged (9%), (3) Overextended (25%), (4) Inefficacy (15%), and (5) Engagement (20%). Each burnout profile was associated with a different pattern of teacher agency and meaningful work. The results showed that the burnout profile corresponds to a relatively high number of SETs. Unlike previous studies, high levels of meaningful work (OR = 5.48) increased the odds of being classified in the burnout profile. Additionally, the level of teacher agency in the burnout profile was higher than in the other profiles. Albeit limited, the results suggested that the majority of the SETs require support through interventions to reduce burnout symptoms and enhance overall well-being.

Effect of ergonomics awareness in controlling work-related musculoskeletal-pain among dental students: A cross-sectional study.

Dentistry is a profession that demands a high level of physical work and excessive repetitive movements in strained positions, both of which are risk factors for developing musculoskeletal pain (MS-P). This study aims to assess the awareness of ergonomics and physical activities in controlling MS-P among dental students. A cross-sectional study conducted at a university dental hospital in Saudi Arabia, through a validated self-administered questionnaire, distributed to undergraduates and postgraduate's dental students. Out of 402 students responded to the questionnaire, 337(83.8%) reported suffering from MS-P with 67.7% of participants did not take any measures to alleviate their symptoms and the majority reported limited physical activity. Females reported significantly higher MS-P than males. Lower back (56.5%), neck (56.2%) and shoulder (50%) were the most frequently reported MS-P. Unexpectedly, undergraduate reporting significantly more pain than interns and postgraduate students (P = 0.009). The dental students' awareness of ergonomics and MSDs were insufficient. Physical activity, student's awareness of MSD and ergonomics were the major factors for controlling MS-Ps. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of enhancing students' knowledge of the importance of controlling work-related MS-P, especially during their university educational hours.

Challenges of IT freelancers on digital labor platforms: A topic model approach

Freelancers working on digital labor platforms have to deal with many challenges. IT freelancers should be considered separately due to special characteristics such as high skill level or collaborative nature of IT work. Through a Latent Dirichlet Allocation analysis of 2804 forum posts with over 20,000 comments from IT freelancers and additional qualitative analysis, we assign themes to each identified topic, cluster them into aggregated dimensions, and illustrate the interrelationships in a model of IT freelancing. Thus, we examine the challenges of IT freelancers and synthesize them. We extend the challenges of online freelancing already outlined in the literature and identify four IT-specific challenges for IT freelancers. Therefore, we improve our understanding of how IT work is performed on digital labor platforms and which particular aspects should be considered in future research. Furthermore, we highlight implications for practitioners, i.e., IT freelancers on the one hand and platform owners on the other hand.

Dynamics of indicators of replacement heifers rearing under the conditions of an animal husbandry enterprise

One of the conditions for high productivity of cows is proper, balanced feeding during the rearing of replacement heifers. The purpose of the work was to study the dynamics of indicators of the rearing of replacement heifers under the conditions of an animal husbandry enterprise where Holstein cattle are bred. The results of the analysis of the indicators of the rearing of replacement heifers and their dynamics over 5 years of production activity of the farm breeding Holstein cattle have been presented in the article. It was established that the fi rst insemination of replacement heifers in 2021 was carried out at the age of 13 months with a live weight of 401 kg. The live weight of heifers was 69,7 % of the live weight of fi rst-calf heifers and 69,1 % of the live weight of mature cows, which corresponded to the norm. The live weight of the first-calf heifers during the analyzed period decreased from 580 kg in 2017 to 575 kg in 2021, i. e. by 5 kg or 0,9 %. The live weight of mature cows increased from 557 kg in 2017 to 680 kg in 2021, i. e. by 23 kg or 4,1 %. The live weight of all groups of animals met the minimum requirements for the Holstein breed. Thus, for 5 years of the production activity of the milk production enterprise, it was established that in the farm under study, the growth, development, and age of the fi rst insemination indicators corresponded to the standards for Holstein breed, which indicated a fairly high level of breeding work carried out by the specialists of the farm. An increase in the growth rate of young animals allows us to inseminate heifers at the age of 14–15 months, which reduces the age of the fi rst calving and increases the efficiency of the dairy cattle industry.

Evaluating a Secondary Education Urban Ecology Project within the Framework of a Problem-Based Learning Methodology

As a reaction to the current situation of local and global environmental deterioration, recent decades have seen the emergence of multiple educational strategies and methodologies within Environmental Education (EE) with the aim of promoting pro-environmental attitudes among young people. One of these strategies is Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and it is necessary to analyze the didactic implications of this methodology in the field of EE in order to maximize its effectiveness. This study evaluates the implementation and didactic implications of an environmental project designed under the PBL methodology. The project was carried out over consecutive years of compulsory secondary education (Grades 9 and 10) in two secondary schools in the province of Granada, Spain. The data collection instruments used included the researcher’s diary, self-assessment and reflection questionnaires for the participating students, and questionnaires and rubrics completed by the audience during the presentation of the final product. The study employed a qualitative interpretative approach, using response categorization and SWOT analyses, the results of which revealed multiple conclusions, highlighting the high level of motivation, work and participation of the students, as well as the didactic benefits of the enriching socialization of the project. Difficulties, such as time management and cooperative group work, lack of practice in the methodology used and challenges related to the use of information and communication technologies (ICT), were also identified. Finally, recommendations are provided for the application of this methodology in other educational contexts.

Investigating The Role of Emotional Intelligence in The Relationship Between Adversity Quotient and Self Efficacy To Work Stress

Human resources is very important for companies in managing, regulating, and empowering employees so that they can function productively to achieve company goals. Human resources in the company need to be managed professionally in order to realize a balance between the needs of employees and the demands and capabilities of the company's organization. Employees are placed according to their skills and abilities, high level of company work, high work motivation, high work participation, effective work communication, high work discipline, employee wages and salaries are determined fairly according to position, education, and responsibilities tall one. The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of Adversity Quotient and Self Efficacy on Job Stress mediated by Emotional Intelligence at PT. Tripuri Mitra Nobelindo. Using a saturated sample with a total of 50 employees, the analysis was carried out quantitatively with the method of collecting questionnaires. Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used as an analytical method and Smart – PLS was used as an analytical tool. The results of the study, Adversity Quotient has a significant negative effect on Job Stress, Self efficacy has a significant negative effect on Job Stress, Adversity Quotient has a significant positive effect on Emotional Intelligence, Self Efficacy has a significant positive effect on Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence has a significant negative effect on Job Stress, Adversity Quotient does not have a significant effect on Job Stress through Emotional Intelligence, and Self Efficacy has a significant negative effect on Job Stress through Emotional Intelligence.

Biodecolorization of biogas plant effluent derived from anaerobically digested distillery wastewater by naturally selected Pseudomonas putida

Effluent from biogas plants can contribute to serious environmental issues due to its high organic compound content and its dark color. This study utilizes Pseudomonas putida strains isolated from activated sludge in a wastewater treatment plant to reduce the organic compound content and dark color of biogas plant effluent. The treatment of effluent from the anaerobic digestion of distillery wastewater with P. putida in the best evaluated conditions (sample concentration of 50% v/v, agitation and aeration rates of 250 rpm and 1.0 vvm for 6 days) produced significant decolorization and organic removal efficacies of 34.29 ± 0.87% and 38.94 ± 0.63%, respectively. Bioremediation efficiency was dependent on bacterial growth, and the organic content and dissolved oxygen in the sample during cultivation were key factors in bacterial growth. The naturally selected bacterium could tolerate relatively high levels of organic content and work synergistically with other indigenous microorganisms found in the biogas plant effluent. Therefore, the bioremediation of biogas plant effluent using naturally selected P. putida can feasibly be applied in biogas power plants where sterilization is not necessary.

Impact of Hotel Employees’ Psychological Well-Being on Job Satisfaction and Pro-Social Service Behavior: Moderating Effect of Work–Life Balance

This study investigates how deluxe hotel employees’ perceptions of their own psychological well-being impact their job satisfaction and pro-social service behavior. It also examines the moderating effect of work–life balance on the relationship between psychological well-being and job satisfaction. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 275 deluxe hotel employees using convenience sampling. First, of the studied sub-factors of employee psychological well-being, positive relationships increased job satisfaction the most, followed by self-acceptance, purpose in life, and environmental mastery. Second, deluxe hotel employees’ job satisfaction positively impacted their pro-social service behavior. Third, the positive effect of one sub-factor of psychological well-being, purpose in life, had a stronger impact on job satisfaction in respondents with high levels of work–life balance. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as limitations and future research directions, are discussed.

Internalising precariousness: experiences of Georgian platform workers

Much has been written about the precarious nature of platform work, whether in high-income or less advanced economies. The lack of alternative employment opportunities and the high level of informal work in the latter are often assumed to be the key incentive for local workers to take on platform work. There is however little research on how exactly local conditions affect workers’ choices and most importantly on the factors making them accept the precariousness of platform labour. Based on 40 interviews with ride-hailing drivers in Tbilisi, the capital of the Republic of Georgia, this article argues that, rather than the lack of alternative opportunities, the poor quality of available jobs and the lack of social protection are the factors leading workers to accept and internalise precariousness, making the inherent features of app-based work seem normal.

TEXTBOOK REVIEW: SVITLANA ROMANIUK, LARYSA KОLIBABA, UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE IN BUSINESS, LEVEL C2. WARSZAWA 2023. 208 Р.

The review is devoted to the analysis of the textbook: Svitlana Romaniuk, Larysa Kоlibaba, Ukrainian language in business, level C2 [Українська мова в бізнесі, рівень С2], Warszawa 2023. 208 р. The purpose of the textbook is to acquaint students with the practical and theoretical aspects of the Ukrainian language in the field of professional communication at the present stage of its functioning, to form stable competent communication skills. The content corpus consists of 13 topics, in which a range of issues is embedded – quite wide and capacious, covers both linguistic and non-linguistic factors of functioning, creation / perception of texts in business industry, as well as their translation and editing. The practical component will contribute to the organic implementation of acquired knowledge and skills in this area. We certify the high level of peer-reviewed work and state: the content (created in accordance with the specialization) corresponds to the declared coursework, modern scientific and methodological principles. In the structure and content, speech, linguistic, sociocultural, activity lines are consistently observed. This is reflected in the methodological organization of theoretical and practical material. The manual is performed at the proper level. It is methodically justified and deepens the basic information about the phonetic, lexical, phraseological, stylistic, grammatical systems of the modern Ukrainian language in the field of professional communication, forms studentsʼ stable skills of competent writing and oral speech, analytical processing of material, modeling of speech communication, promotes a creative approach to work, encourages to give phenomena their own assessment, analyze, predict. It is commendable that the didactic materials have been tested among students of Warsaw Ukrainian Studies for several years, which provides an increase in their practical and methodological value. Key words: Textbook, didactics of Ukrainian as a foreign language, language of business, level C2.

Improving the Performance of a SME in the Cutlery Sector Using Lean Thinking and Digital Transformation

The main purpose of this paper is to show that if three specific contextual factors are present in a company, it is possible to achieve great performance improvements with a lean and industry 4.0 implementation. In terms of research methods, a case study was carried out of a project to implement digitalization and Lean practices in a cutlery company, which in fact encompassed a project of master’s degree in engineering and industrial management. Thus, the research question is: “It is possible to achieve major improvements in a lean and industry 4.0 implementation if three specific contextual factors are present in the company, namely (i) commitment of top management, (ii) knowledge on digitalization and lean, and (iii) very low Value-Added Ratio?”. Regarding the company project, action-research was adopted, and the project team began by mapping and diagnosing the production processes of the two product families (knives and spoons/forks). High levels of work in process, long throughput times, poor flow planning and control, and high stocks of finished products, quickly stood out in both families. Improvement proposals were developed and implemented, namely: (i) creation of a production scheduling and control system, (ii) improvement of the warehouse stock management system, and (iii) adoption of new routines, management tools, visual management, and kaizen meetings. The results achieved were excellent (e.g., throughput time reduced by 27.6% and productivity increased by 36.5%) and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals SDG 9 and 12. The findings of this study corroborate that exceptional results in the company performance can be achieved through a lean and industry 4.0 intervention, if the three referred contextual factors occur.

Digital Technologies as an Important Factor of the Restaurant Business Development

Topicality. The restaurant business success is determined by the high level of service and efficient work of the staff. The combination of quality and speed of service, first of all, became real due to the possibilities of information technologies implementation in the work of restaurants. The relevance of the study grounds on the fact that the use of information technologies in restaurant service can allow to quickly and efficiently solve many management tasks, improve service quality, and, consequently, increase business revenue. The aim of the article. The aim of this study is to analyze the current state and to identify key aspects of modern digital technologies implementation and usage in order to improve the efficiency of restaurant business enterprises. Research methods. When conducting research, the following general scientific methods were applied: analysis, abstraction, induction, deduction, synthesis, inference, generalization, comparison. Results. The article considered the main tendencies in the restaurant market development in the digital economy period. Special attention was paid to the analysis of digital technologies use in the activity of restaurant business enterprises. The main directions and tools of the restaurant business digitalization were studied. Promising information and technological innovations for business protection during the coronavirus pandemic were outlined. Conclusions and discussion. It was determined that the information support of the restaurant business and the use of digital technologies are a strategic resource that helps to attract as many customers as possible, to achieve maximum sales and attendance, to gain the trust of guests, as well as to form a positive image of the enterprise. The scientific novelty of the study is to substantiate peculiarities of the use of modern information technologies in the management of restaurant business enterprises in order to ensure their effective functioning. Promising areas for further digitization that require tracking and the proper strategy choosing are based on more sophisticated solutions, including the Internet of Things technology, big data analytics, robotics, and mobile technologies.

Analysis on the Relationship between Higher Education and Women's Status

In recent years, more and more women are appearing in major workplaces, taking up important positions, and women's self-identity is increasing. In China and the international community, there is a growing discussion about whether women should be housewives, and many people think that women should put the family first. The paper uses the Ordered Probit model to analyze the data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS). This research finds out that there is a significant correlation between educational attainment and women's recognition of being a housewife. The more educated people are, the less they agree that women should be housewives. This finding has important implications for social development. Combined with previous findings, women who receive high levels of education and work in the workplace are more likely to boost the educational attainment of the next generation. Therefore, promoting the development of education level is vital to encourage the development of the next generation and social progress.