Work Life Research Articles

Artificial intelligence and human integration: a conceptual exploration of its influence on work processes and workplace learning

ABSTRACT This paper examines the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on job and organizational processes, drawing on sociotechnical systems (STS) theory. It discusses the emergence of AI and its implications for HRD on individual, group, and organizational learning. AI has changed the trajectory of work processes and outcomes, paving the way for the future of work. An AI-human integration process model is proposed to reinforce its influence on job design in response to AI applications in the workplace. Learning is experienced between humans and between humans and AI. AI’s cognitive intelligence is capable of learning from each other through a process of deep learning. Humans, too, can learn from AI to modify their response towards working with AI-enabled applications. The model illustrates the relationships between individuals, work processes, and sociotechnical systems through multilevel interactions. Of relevance to HRD are two critical processes, namely learning and innovating, that facilitate the continuation of AI-human integration, enabling employees to embrace AI as an integral part of their work life. The paper offers several implications for HRD research and practice, recognizing opportunities for workplace learning and the potential constraints and risks arising from AI adoption that are applicable globally and internationally.

How prepared are newly qualified allied health professionals for practice in the UK? A systematic review

ObjectivesIt is important that allied health professionals (AHPs) are prepared for clinical practice from the very start of their working lives to provide quality care for patients, for their personal...

Intergenerational Climate and Work Engagement: The Mediating Role of Perceived Age Discrimination in a Sample of Older Workers

ABSTRACT Given that different generations can be found in the workplace, due to the increase of work life cycle, research regarding the impact of intergenerational climate and perceived age discrimination on work engagement is of relevance, especially among older workers, as those most impacted by age discrimination. The objective of this study was to investigate intergenerational climate and work engagement, and whether this relationship is mediated by age discrimination. The hypotheses were tested in a sample of 201 Portuguese workers with 45 or more years of age, by means of regression. Findings showed that intergenerational inclusiveness and affect, retention and intergenerational affect, and generational stereotypes are negatively related to perceived age discrimination. Furthermore, work engagement seems to only be positively impacted by intergenerational inclusiveness and affect. Age discrimination did not act as a mediator. Theoretical and practical implications to human resources management strategies in organizations are discussed.

From fumble to flourish: how workplace attachment drives service recovery performance

PurposeDrawing on the conservation of resources theory and attachment theory, this paper proposes that employee–organization relationship and satisfaction with work–life balance mediate the influence of workplace attachment on service recovery performance.Design/methodology/approachData collection was carried out through the distribution of questionnaires among a sample of healthcare providers from Lebanese private hospitals and analyzed via structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicate that workplace attachment has a significant impact on employee–organization relationship, satisfaction with work–life balance and service recovery performance. The findings further reveal that employee–organization relationship and satisfaction with work–life balance significantly influence service recovery performance and fully mediate the relationship between workplace attachment and service recovery performance.Originality/valueThis study is the first to investigate the mediating role of the employee–organization relationship and satisfaction with work–life balance between workplace attachment and service recovery performance. Over and above, this study is the first of its kind that the authors are aware of, being conducted in the healthcare sector, specifically in Lebanon. Based on the findings, the paper discusses the theoretical contributions, managerial implications and suggestions for further studies.

Differential Older Workers’ Experience with Technology-related Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many workers, including older ones, experienced changes at work during the COVID-19 pandemic, among which was a sudden increase in the use of digital technologies. This paper aims at understanding older workers’ satisfaction with digital technology-related changes at work during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Nordics. Based on novel survey data collected in Sweden in 2020– 2021, we analyzed the experience with digital technology-related changes at work and modeled the (dis)satisfaction with such changes among older workers (aged 50+). Our findings show that groups of older, less educated, reporting concurrent workload changes and digital technology-related difficulties had an increased likelihood of being dissatisfied with digital technology-related changes at work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results have implications for the theoretical understanding of late working life and for the redefinition of working life policies and age management strategies in times of work digitalization of work.

Balancing Personal and Professional Life: A Study of Experiences and Perceptions of Divorced People

This study intends to evaluate the emotional and psychological aspects of divorce, with a special emphasis on the delicate interplay between their personal and professional lives. Purposive sampling was utilized in conjunction with semi-structured interviews under the constructivist-interpretive technique. During the interviews, all procedures were carried out with the participants' informed consent with strong ethical norms to protect confidentiality. Member verification and consistent data analysis were used to maintain credibility. The data obtained from the interview were thematically analyzed to detect reoccurring patterns throughout the narratives. The study found that gender and culture have an impact on individual experiences, but mindfulness, meditation, and therapy are essential for overcoming the emotional difficulties associated with divorce. Personalized coping strategies, encouraging workplaces, therapeutic interventions, and a more thorough comprehension of gender and culture-specific variables are essential. These findings have significant implications for therapists assisting, businesses developing compassionate workplaces, governments concerned about the emotional well-being of their constituents, and divorcees seeking support. The study investigates the firsthand encounters of individuals managing the balance between work and professional life amidst divorce, providing crucial perspectives for practitioners assisting individuals and similar circumstances.

Work-life balance and job satisfaction among faculty in selected nursing schools in Sulu

Balancing one’s life with all of the responsibilities they have and be able to find joy in it is one of the best things that one can have in life. However, the ideal concept of work and life balance is not achieved due to certain factors that have a great impact in real life experience. Using the quantitative descriptive method, this study aims to assess the work life balance and job satisfaction among faculty members selected from nursing schools in Sulu. The findings revealed that they have a positive view with regards to the concept of work life balance, but uncertain in terms of workload and leave policies. They also have a positive outcome with the concept of job satisfaction. Lastly, it was also found out that work life balance played a big role in improving the job satisfaction of faculty members in nursing schools. These findings suggest that school administrators shall formulate better policies and guidelines among faculty members in a way to strategize the assignment of workloads. Moreover, an open communication among faculty and other school officials shall happen to determine the expectations and set the standards that will meet the school’s improvement while not compromising the well being of the teaching force.

The Experiences of Practical Nurse Students in Promoting the Rehabilitation of the Elderly Through Nursing Care and Its Education – A Secondary Publication

The significance of rehabilitation-promoting nursing care is emphasized in aging Finland. According to studies, rehabilitation-promoting nursing care enhances the functional capacity of the elderly. The Elderly Services Act obliges municipalities to create a plan to support the elderly population, emphasizing living at home and rehabilitative measures. A large portion of graduated practical nurses will be working with the elderly, so the education of practical nurses must meet the needs of the workforce. The study aimed to produce new information on the implementation of rehabilitation-promoting nursing care in the elderly services system and on the education of rehabilitation-promoting nursing care for the elderly in vocational institutions. The research data was collected in the fall of 2020 through individual theme interviews with practical nurse students (n = 8). The data was analyzed using inductive content analysis. The experiences of practical nurse students regarding rehabilitation-promoting nursing care for the elderly were related to nurses’ time management, organizational practices, nurses’ competence, nurses’ attitudes, nurses’ methods of operation, organizational development, implementation and development of practical teaching, factors affecting the use of aids, and the technology of aids in the future. In conclusion, it can be stated that the content of education and practical work life do not align. It is essential to increase competence in rehabilitation-promoting nursing care and develop organizational practices.

Early career mobility and health and wellbeing of female doctorate holders: A narrative review of the international literature

AbstractWhile in the last decade gender research has shown great interest in problems around work–life balance for women and the implications for their career mobility, the links between these and women's health and wellbeing have not been fully examined. This article reviews international research undertaken between 1980 and 2020 on the early career period of female doctorate holders. The focus is on the early career mobility (career progression as well as international, disciplinary, and sectorial mobility) of women with doctorates and the connections between their mobility and their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Guided by feminist theories on recurrent institutionalized and legitimized gender inequalities, our review identifies the establishment of inequity during the early career period for female doctoral graduates inside and outside academia and associates this with imbalances in mobility patterns, which are directly connected with their personal lives. The evidence found also suggests that women's health and wellbeing is mostly negatively impacted by these circumstances which may be contributing to women leaving academia or employment. Some improvements at institutional level are recommended as well as the need to continue challenging perceptions of gender roles and responsibilities.

A comprehensive investigation of biopsychosocial determinants influencing primary dysmenorrhea among university students

ABSTRACT Dysmenorrhea, characterized by pain and related symptoms, significantly impacts women’s quality of life in work and education, prompting a comprehensive evaluation of associated factors. The objective of this study was to utilize structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze and assess the biopsychosocial factors influencing dysmenorrhea among university students. Three hundred and thirty-nine university students were included in this cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were collected using the Participant Information Form, the Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS), the Beck Depression Scale (BDS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACES), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). It was determined that the variables of pain onset (t = 3.24, p < .05) and age at menarche (t = -2.16, p < .05) showed a significant relationship with the model. The variables of the PCS (t = 16.87, p < .001), BDS (t = 3.06, p < .05), and BAS (t = 5.13, p < .001) showed a significant relationship with the model. Social factors in the model were examined, and a family history of dysmenorrhea and the ACES variables did not contribute significantly to the model (p > .05). The study indicates primary dysmenorrhea influenced by biological and psychological factors. Nurses should conduct holistic assessments and provide comprehensive care for affected women.

Age‐related differences in the use of boundary management tactics when teleworking: Implications for productivity and work‐life balance

AbstractThe rise of home‐based teleworking and the ageing of the workforce constitute two major trends impacting the future of work. Managing these trends well requires a good understanding of how worker age and telework intersect and which mechanisms link age and telework outcomes. We integrated perspectives of boundary theory and the lifespan model of selection, optimization, and compensation and investigated in two studies the relationship between employee age and two telework outcomes (work–life balance and unfinished tasks) as mediated by boundary management tactics aimed at segmenting work and nonwork roles. Across Study 1 (a two‐wave study with 172 teleworkers) and Study 2 (a three‐wave study with 282 teleworkers), we found positive associations between age and use of segmenting boundary management tactics during telework. We further identified indirect effects of age on higher productivity in terms of fewer unfinished tasks (both studies) and better work–life balance (Study 2) through boundary management tactics use. Robustness checks indicated that age effects remain significant after controlling for a number of demographic characteristics, work and home demands, motivational factors, and self‐regulatory skills. Findings suggest that older workers effectively navigate the blurred work‐nonwork boundaries in home‐based telework using self‐regulatory behaviour that supports positive telework outcomes.

Enhancing workplace spirituality for higher education academicians through human resource practices

PurposeThis study investigates how human resource training and development (HRTD) shapes workplace spirituality in higher education. It delves into key factors impacting spirituality among academics, such as colleague support and e-learning initiatives. Through analytical tools like percentage analysis and Garret ranking, it divides workplace spirituality in academia, exploring the HR strategies that induce it.Design/methodology/approach(a) Type of research – Descriptive research (b) Area of research – The present study is taken up by the academicians as a respondent in selected colleges in Salem district. (c) Sampling technique – Simple random method was adopted. (d) Sources of data collection – The study comprises mixed data method that both types of data were adopted. (i) Primary data – Researcher conducted data by selecting a representative sample of the teaching faculties from various institutions employed in higher education in Salem. (ii) Secondary data – It is mostly gathered through content found on websites. (e) Method of data collection – Structured questionnaires were employed in this research to acquire the data needed for the investigation. Every item it is rated through five-point scale of with 1 denoting “Strongly Agree” to “Strongly Disagree,” this includes questions about the job, coworkers, seniors and training. (f) Research tools used – Descriptive statistics, Friedman test and Garret ranking.FindingsFindings highlight the significance of encouraging colleagues, workplace development and online learning in fostering workplace spirituality. Faculty encouragement emerges as the most impactful HR practice, while development initiatives improve the reputation of training for new aspects. Notably, online training significantly affects workplace spirituality, increasing the influence of cultural training.Research limitations/implicationsImplications for future research arise, suggesting potential models for studying workplace spirituality in academia and sparking curiosity about the connection between HR practices and spirituality.Practical implicationsFrom a practical viewpoint, the study offers actionable insights for authorities to improve workplace spirituality by supporting colleagues and emphasizing growth strategies. It outlines clear steps for organizations to create more spiritually enriching work environments.Social implicationsSocially, the study advocates for healthier work cultures that impact society's perspective on work–life balance and employee well-being. It promotes positive work environments that benefit both individuals and society.Originality/valueThis paper's originality lies in its focus on how HRTD contributes to workplace spirituality in higher education. It emphasizes supporting colleagues, fostering growth and utilizing e-learning, offering unique insights into spirituality at work. The methodology, using structured questionnaires and statistical analysis among faculty, provides a distinct approach to studying this area.

How CEOs can Increase Public Engagement via Microblogs: The Role of CEO Gender and Content Orientation

AbstractIn the social media era, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are increasingly using microblogging sites to communicate with the public. Drawing on schema‐congruity theory and gender egalitarianism, we investigate how CEO gender and work–life content orientation interact to influence public engagement with CEOs on microblogs. Using China as our research setting, we conduct a content analysis of data collected from 63 high‐profile CEOs’ microblogs and four laboratory studies with some 2000 respondents. Our results show that for female CEOs, work‐related content leads to greater engagement than life‐related content; for male CEOs, the effect is reversed. We find that such outcomes are driven by the incongruity between stereotypical gender roles and content orientation, which enhances perceived novelty and audience interest, thus leading to greater engagement. This effect diminishes when the audience has a very high or very low perception of gender equality in their society; or when the audience supports male privilege values personally. Our research provides new theoretical insights for online leadership communication, public engagement and gender research. It also offers useful managerial guidance for executives to effectively leverage the capabilities of social media in engaging with the public.

Unlocking the Transformative Potential of Outdoor Office Work—A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study

White-collar workers around the world are reconfiguring their ways of working. Some have found their way out, performing office work outdoors, through walk-and-talks, outdoor meetings, or reading sessions. Working outdoors has proved both invigorating and challenging. This qualitative interview study aims to develop a conceptual framework concerning the implications of white-collar workers incorporating the outdoors into their everyday work life. Applying a constructivist grounded theory approach, 27 interviews with a total of 15 participants were systematically analyzed. Findings evolved around the following categories: practicing outdoor office work, challenging the taken-for-granted, enjoying freedom and disconnection, feeling connected and interdependent, promoting health and well-being, enhancing performance, and finally adding a dimension to work. These categories were worked into a conceptual model, building on the dynamic relationship between the practice of working outdoors on one hand, and how this challenges the system in which office work traditionally takes place on the other. Interviews reflected the profound learning process of the employees. Drawing on the concepts of free space and resonance, we demonstrate how performing office work outdoors may unlock a transformative potential by opening up connectedness and interdependence and contribute to a sustainable work life as well as overall sustainable development.

Predictive factors of occupational stress among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Kashan, Iran

BackgroundConsidering the severe and sudden changes in the job conditions of nurses during the covid-19 pandemic, the increase in job tensions during this critical period and its consequences on the quantity and quality of nursing care, this study aims to investigate the job stress of nurses during the covid-19 pandemic and its predictors in Iran.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 nurses in ‘Kashan’, Iran, who were randomly selected using stratified sampling. Data were collected using two questionnaires on occupational stress and potential related factors. The data were analyzed in SPSS version 16.ResultsThe results showed that the occupational stress of nurses in Iran was at a medium to high level with a mean and standard deviation of 103.773 ± 15.742 (scale of 34–136). Factors such as satisfaction with physical health, quality of work life, satisfaction with the availability of facilities, sense of coherence, education level, work experience, job burnout, male gender, being native, and workplace were predictors of occupational stress and explained 23.3% of the variance in occupational stress score. The highest contribution was related to satisfaction with physical health.ConclusionConsidering the consequences of occupational stress for nurses, it is crucial for health and nursing authorities to take these factors into consideration in policy-making and planning.

Feedback from the Science Café roundtables at the ninth European Bioanalysis Forum Young Scientist Symposium: optimizing the work–life balance in a bioanalytical laboratory

As part of the European Bioanalysis Forum’s continued commitment to develop young scientists beyond their scientific skills, we also focus on soft skills and a community responsibility during the Young Scientist Symposia, with the Science Café. In previous years, we have focused on topics such as sustainability (green lab) or the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on career development. At the ninth Young Scientist Symposium, the Science Café roundtables focused on the work–life balance and how caring for it can be beneficial for both the individual and the company. Feedback from a premeeting survey and from the discussions during the roundtables can be an important addition to personal and professional development. If organizations are not already focusing on the importance of a healthy work–life balance, they can be inspired to include some aspects of the outcome of the Science Café discussions when developing their staff toward future (scientific) leadership.

Biographies of uncertainty regulation in the labor market and extension of working life in Chile

Abstract Despite lacking policies targeting the extension of working life, Chile is the Latin American country that has exhibited the largest increase in the labor force participation rate of people aged 65+ in the last two decades. In this research, following an analytical framework on regulation of endogenous uncertainty and relying on rich qualitative data (life story interviews of 90 older workers aged 60–86, across 21 cities and 6 regions), we approached the complexity of extended working lives in Chile by addressing an unexplored dimension. Specifically, we explore individuals’ agency over their employment trajectories (i.e., both in adulthood and old age) among those who remained active in the labor market after the legal retirement age. Our findings provide strong evidence that extended working lives not only result from precarious social conditions, but are also shaped by complex processes involving both expansive and adaptive individual agency in which people engaged throughout their life course. Therefore, the high exogenous uncertainty in the labor market should not merely be interpreted from the perspective of “precarity,” but also as a scenario that encouraged individuals to behave in a way that led them to engage in the labor force across their lives in accordance with their preferred level of endogenous uncertainty.

THE SOUTH DOES ALSO EXIST: THE CONTINENTAL DRIFT DEBATE IN THE ACCOUNT OF THE SOUTH-AFRICAN PALEOBOTANIST EDNA PLUMSTEAD

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes a letter sent by the South African paleobotanist Edna Plumstead in 1982 to the US philosopher of science Henry Frankel, in answer to his questions about her involvement in the early debates on the concept of continental drift. Her response gave a biographical account of her life and explained in what context she first became acquainted with the themes that would become her life's work, and the scientific network of people who influenced her along the way. Beginning with her undergraduate years in the 1920s, Plumstead was aware that continental drift was being discussed in scientific circles in South Africa, earlier than in the northern hemisphere. This was followed by her more direct involvement in paleontological studies on fossils of the seed-plant Glossopteris, her important description of Glossopteris reproductive organs in direct attachment to the leaves, and how the distribution of these fossils contributed to the concept of Gondwanaland and the continental drift theory. These contributions, although extremely relevant to science, were mostly ignored in the Global North.

Balancing work and family when family is work: a reconceptualization of work–family integration, burnout and detachment in family business

PurposeBuilding from calls for greater interdisciplinary research in interpreting family business phenomena, we integrate research on work–family conflict, detachment and burnout from both organizational and family studies. Using the characteristic work–family integration of family business settings as a backdrop we develop theoretical arguments that emphasize the reconciliatory role of interdisciplinary perspectives to explain the ostensibly contradictory findings in extant research. The diminishing barriers separating work and life spheres occurring in most global industries illustrate the importance of conceiving the study of work–life phenomena through recursive, rather than linear, logics and emphasizing the relevance of family business research in providing a contextual foundation for interdisciplinary discussions.Design/methodology/approachThis theoretical paper integrates perspectives from the literatures on organizational behavior and family systems theory to form six propositions on the relationship between work–life integration and the antecedents and consequences of burnout and psychological detachment.FindingsThis paper explores the nuances that overlapping work and family roles might be a source of both harmony and discord in family firms. In doing so, our research contributes to the growing relationship between family systems theory and family business research, and creates the foundation for future empirical studies on the psychological dynamics that underlie work–family integration.Originality/valueThis research advances a novel perspective on the interactions between work–family integration and burnout and detachment, and does so by noting that the way the family business literature treats work–family integration may apply to any employee that experiences tension between these different spheres of their identity.

Performance prediction and operating parameters optimization for proton exchange membrane fuel cell based on data-driven surrogate model and particle swarm optimization

The operating parameters of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) are critical to its performance and working life. This study presents a data-driven modeling approach combining a surrogate model with the particle swarm optimization algorithm to optimize operating parameters for PEMFC and obtain the maximum power density. The results show that the operating parameters significantly influence power density under high current densities, with inlet temperature having the most significant effect. Lower inlet temperature, relative humidity in the cathode and anode, along with higher operating pressure yield improved output performance. The Genetic Algorithm-Backpropagation Neural Network based surrogate model exhibits excellent predictive performance with correlation coefficients of 0.99896 and 0.99815 for the training and test sets, respectively. Optimized conditions achieve a 3.3% increase in power density compared to initial settings, with only a 0.15% error in simulation calculations. This data-driven approach provides valuable insights for maximizing PEMFC efficiency and performance.