Specific Work Environment Research Articles

A Case Study of Code-Switching among Thai Waiters in a Cambridge, UK Restaurant

Abstract This study explores Thai bilingual speakers’ code-switching in a formal work setting. Although code-switching may appear to be random, there is an underlying choice which speakers decide upon when switching between languages: Language proficiency, the initial speaker’s language choice, the setting, and role relationships all contribute to these choices. This study investigates the factors contributing to code-switch decisions by participants within their specific work environment. The main findings show that adopting one language over the other depends on two main factors: first, the initial sequence of the interaction; second, the role relationship that the participants wish to maintain. This study has drawn upon the conversational approach and Auer’s sequential analysis to collect and interpret data from ethno-graphic observations, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews.

Gender Matters: A Multilevel Analysis of Gender and Voice at Work

AbstractThe role of gender in shaping a range of work experiences and outcomes is well documented, yet there remains limited knowledge of the gendered dimensions of voice. In addressing the understudied topic of gender and voice, we propose a multilevel framework for analysing the relationship, which goes beyond thinking of gender only in terms of individual‐level gender identities. We conceptualize gender at three levels – as embedded in individual identities, in organizational policies and practices and in labour market segmentations – and show that gender, at each level, is associated with variations in worker voice opportunities and practices. We test our model using data from a mixed‐methods Australian study that consisted of a national survey with young working women and men and a series of targeted focus groups with young working women. We find no individual‐level differences in women's and men's reported voice, measured as managerial consultation and as perceived influence over workplace matters. However, we do find a diminished voice among both women and men employed within specific gendered work environments, namely in organizations where workers perceive high levels of gender inequality and in women‐dominated industries. Qualitative findings provide additional detail on how women's voice materializes and is constrained within gendered work settings.

Tietojärjestelmät sairaanhoitajien työn tukena eri toimintaympäristöissä: kokemuksia tuotemerkeittäin

Asiakas- ja potilastietojärjestelmät ovat sairaanhoitajien työssä keskeisiä työvälineitä. Artikkelissa selvitettiin, missä määrin eri asiakas- ja potilastietojärjestelmät tukevat sairaanhoitajien työtä eri toimintaympäristöissä. Tavoitteena oli tuottaa tietoa kansallisen tiedonhallinnan strategian täyttymisestä ja sairaanhoitajien käyttäjäkokemuksista palautteeksi tietojärjestelmätoimittajille.
 Tiedonkeruu sairaanhoitajien tietojärjestelmäkokemuksista toteutettiin keväällä 2020 kyselynä. Kyselyyn vastasi 3912 sairaanhoitajaa, joista pääosa työskenteli julkisessa sairaalassa, terveyskeskuksessa, sosiaalialalla tai yksityissektorilla. Yleisimmin käytettyjä asiakas- ja potilasjärjestelmiä olivat yleisyysjärjestyksessä Lifecare asiakas- ja potilastietojärjestelmä (Lifecare), Uranus, Pegasos, Apotti (tuotemerkki: Epic), Effica terveydenhuolto (Effica), Mediatri, Esko, DynamicHealth ja DomaCare. Kyselyn väittämistä raportoitiin teemoja, jotka koskevat tietojärjestelmien kykyä tukea vuorovaikutusta (4), hyötyjä (4), käytettävyyttä (2), teknistä toimivuutta (3) sekä paperin ja faksin käyttöä (1), tietojärjestelmille annettavia kouluarvosanoja (1) ja järjestelmätoimittajille suoraan annettavaa palautetta (30). Kysely tehtiin sairaanhoitajille toista kertaa, ja pohdinnassa tarkasteltiin muutoksia vuoteen 2017 nähden.
 Tulosten mukaan tietojärjestelmien tuki sairaanhoitajien työlle parantui tai pysyi ennallaan monien muuttujien osalta. Tulokset vaihtelivat asiakas- ja potilastietojärjestelmien tuotemerkkien ja toimintaympäristöjen välillä ja myös samojen tuotemerkkien välillä eri toimintaympäristöissä. Sairaanhoitajat olivat tyytyväisiä etenkin tietojärjestelmien kykyyn tukea yhteistyötä ja tiedonkulkua sairaanhoitajien kesken organisaation sisällä sekä sairaanhoitajien ja lääkärien välillä. He myös kokivat, että tietojärjestelmät tuottavat hyötyjä asiakkaiden ja potilaiden hoitoprosessille. Toisaalta organisaatioiden välisessä tiedonkulussa turvauduttiin edelleen paperiin ja faksiin. Lisäksi vastaajat tunnistivat asiakas- ja potilastietojärjestelmissä enemmän työtä hankaloittavia kuin hyvin toimivia ominaisuuksia. Vaikka tietojärjestelmien kehityssuunta vaikutti positiiviselta, eivät ne kaikilta osin edelleenkään tukeneet sairaanhoitajien työtä riittävällä tasolla ja näin ollen tietojärjestelmien systemaattista seurantaa on syytä jatkaa.

ACADEMIC STAFF TRAINING TRANSFER AND ITS IMPACT ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Purpose: This study investigates the effect of training transfer to organizational performance through collaboration among academic staff. It provides a clear understanding of specific training transfer concepts and processes during their engagement in the university activities. Several issues affecting training transfer from the learning environment to impact the performance of academic staff were reported.
 Methodology: A semi-structured interview among four academic staffs through a purposive sampling method. The qualitative analysis had been transcribed and coded. The data gained from the interviews were themed for the purpose of the analysis.
 Main findings: The findings suggest that there should be training, honest communication, knowledge management, creating the right environment, identifying collaborative leaders, and making collaboration a natural part of the workflow. This was motivated by the increasing need to improve worker's skills through training which encompasses a significant aspect of the modern organization. It is concluded that deciphered training to improve specific task requirements. Therefore, monitoring training transfer provides organizations the opportunity to improve specific work environments and academician’s performance. It is recommended that training transfer and collaboration need to be an important aspect of the organizational process to improve performance outcomes.
 Implications/Applications: This research is important for academic staff at the Faculty of leadership and management at (USIM) who participated in the research to enhance organizational performance. Therefore, it has provided insights to other academic staff to imitate and the authorities to create a room for achievement for the organization.

Constructing nurses' professional identity through group performance.

The aim of this study was to examine professional identity through the group performances of nurses within a specific work environment. Professional identity and social identity are closely linked. Nurses undertake clinical practice usually within a social group environment. The literature is limited on the development of professional identity within the context of nurses' daily work. An integrated ethnographic case context design was adopted, consisting of two clinical wards in one acute health-care facility in Australia. The application of the social identity theory (SIT) was used to study two specific professional activities to describe the group performance of nurses within this organizational cultural context and how this influenced nurses' professional identity. The research was undertaken between 2012 and 2014. Data collection included observation, interviews and fieldnotes of a convenience sample of nurses and allied health-care professionals who undertook two professional activities in their normal work environment. The development of group efficacy contributed to the development of the professional identity in the homogenous handover activity. Self-efficacy was demonstrated in the heterogenous multidisciplinary activity. The results indicated the importance of recognizing core identity-building activities and understanding the value of these activities to professional identity development.

Association between Hospital Nurses' Perception of Patient Safety Management and Standard Precaution Adherence: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Standard precautions should be applied to prevent health care-associated infections during every nursing activity. However, adherence to standard precautions was reported to be inadequate. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the rates of standard precaution adherence and the association between perception of patient safety management and standard precaution adherence. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a convenience sample of nurses was recruited from a university-affiliated teaching hospital in Seoul, Korea. Data were collected using a structured self-report questionnaire. Among the 332 questionnaires returned (response rate: 94.9%), a total of 329 nurses were analyzed. In the present study, the overall standard precaution adherence rate was approximately 53.5%. The multiple linear regression results revealed that participants’ perceptions of patient safety management were only significantly associated with standard precaution adherence after adjusting other covariates (β = 0.412, p < 0.001). Nurse supervisors should focus more on raising awareness about nurses’ perception of patient safety management based on the specific work environment, such as the total number of nurses working together and the nurse-to-patient ratio. Nurse educators should develop integrated curricula to help graduate nurses transition smoothly into professional practice and enhance adherence to standard precautions in diverse health care settings.

THE NATURE OF PEER WORKPLACE INCIVILITY AND BULLYING AMONG RESIDENTIAL CARE AIDES IN LONG-TERM CARE

Residential care aides (RCAs; unregulated workers also known as certified nursing assistants or personal care assistants) provide much of the hands-on care in long-term residential care (LTRC). While many RCAs report being exposed to violent or aggressive acts from residents, we know little about their exposure to incivility and bullying from their colleagues. This is a significant knowledge gap as increased workplace incivility and bullying is associated with specific gender-dominated fields, hierarchical and stressful work environments, and low job autonomy, all of which characterize LTRC. Drawing on data from a critical ethnography examining workplace incivility and bullying among RCAs in a rural, not-for-profit care home, this presentation explores the types of incivility and bullying encountered by RCAs, and the contextual factors impacting their experiences with such behaviors. To date, more than 50 hours of participant observation, and 20 in-depth interviews with RCAs, licensed practical nurses, support staff, and management have been conducted. Findings illustrate the pervasiveness of incivility; while bullying acts (repeated, hostile behaviors intended to undermine, humiliate or injure) were rare, incivility (low-intensity acts with an ambiguous intent to harm) was an almost daily occurrence. Commonly-occurring behaviors included ignoring and refusing co-worker’s requests for help, social exclusion, acting impatient with, blaming and criticizing co-workers, and insisting on getting one’s own way. Chronic staffing shortages, staffing arrangements, and workload issues exacerbated RCAs’ experiences. Findings provide an important first step in understanding the nature of workplace incivility and bullying in LTRC.

Projective listening: Trans, for saxophone and electronics, a case study

In this article, I examine three types of composition based on projective listening, a notion I develop in my own practice as a composer. I wrote Trans for saxophone and electronics, using a mixed sound where the electronic part interacts with the instrumental part through electronics. This choice structures the composition and means the performer can be included in the writing process through listening. The analysis of this piece reveals three listening modes: listening to mixed sound as a deferred performance; listening in order to project a target-image that guides the performance; listening in order to organize expectations through the development of three types of musical tension. This requires a specific work environment. This environment allows for a number of listening possibilities. I propose then to think of composing as the construction of the listening process of others.

Work environment factors and respiratory complaints in Norwegian cooks.

Norwegian cooks exhibit relatively high mortality, particularly from respiratory diseases. Both occupational hazards and lifestyle factors have been suggested as possible explanations. Negative health effects from exposure to cooking fumes are well documented in non-Western populations, and it has been claimed that cooking fumes in Western style cooking might be substantially different. We hypothesise that exposure to cooking fumes contributes to respiratory diseases also in professional cooks in Western countries. The aim of this study was to elucidate if specific work environment factors related to cooking fume exposure are determinants for respiratory morbidity in Norwegian cooks. We surveyed specific work environment factors and respiratory complaints in 553 subjects that were currently working as skilled cooks. Inclusion was based on the register of people that had graduated as skilled cooks in central Norway between 1988 and 2008. Determinants for the occurrence of respiratory complaints were explored by logistic regression. Overall, 17.2% of subjects reported respiratory complaints at work, while 8.1% had chronic bronchitis. Those who performed frying for over half of their workday exhibited an increased odds ratio for having chronic bronchitis of 2.5 (95% CI 1.2-5.3). Using gas for frying and using a fryer in the kitchen were also related to the occurrence of respiratory complaints. This study in Norwegian cooks demonstrates a relationship between the extent of frying and the occurrence of work-related respiratory complaints. Therefore, reducing exposure to cooking fumes could reduce respiratory complaints in cooks, and potentially help alleviate excess morbidity and mortality in this occupation.

Associations between Psychosocial Work Environment Factors with Work Engagement and Burnout in Nursing

The psychosocial work environment (i.e., job demands and resources) is a significant determinant of nurses’ health and motivation; yet, despite the close associations between specific work environment factors, various frameworks suggest different aspects as the most important among the rest. Having in mind the assumption that a more abstract level of analysis might be equally relevant for understanding the work environment and predicting significant outcomes, the aim of this study was to discern the latent factors of nursing work environment and to evaluate their significance in predicting nurses’ work engagement and exhaustion. Two hundred eleven nurses participated in a two-wave time-lagged survey (ΔT = 8 months). In this survey, 1 Expanded Nursing Stress Scale and several subscales of the Work Design Questionnaire were used to measure main job demands and resources in nursing. At that time, 2 participants were asked to fill out an Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and hierarchical regression analysis were used for analyzing the data. The EFA results revealed that two factors can be discerned, each related to main job demands and resources accordingly. Based on these results, the aggregated indexes of job demands and resources were calculated. A linear regression analysis showed that these indexes predicted nurses’ work engagement and exhaustion no worse than specific factors, despite the loss of variance due to aggregation. Practical implications of such conclusions are also discussed in the article.

Validating Haefner's Fourth Theory of Motivation

What works best to motivate employee and engage them toward commitment is an unending inquiry in the workplace. The interest in the quest for "appropriate" motivation models is strengthened by widespread assumptions that a motivated workforce is a critical antecedent of the organization's productivity. This study verified Haefner's Fourth Theory of Motivation by exploring the opinions of practitioners who are engaged in motivating people in their respective organizations. It looked into the qualitative responses from the professional-respondents on the following topics: situations that one looks forward to from leadership as sources of encouragement and motivation to commit and be part of the successful productivity program; specific work environment that best stimulates an individual to work with the team and go extra mile without counting the cost; and qualities an individual person brings to best contribute to the completion of a team project. The questions were open-ended ones and floated to one hundred (100) graduate and postgraduate students at Liceo de Cagayan University School of Graduate Studies. Following the guidelines of Heppner and Heppner (2004), responses were classified. Results were classified into themes and core ideas and summarized in a table. Findings confirmed most of the various elements in the motivation subsystems. However, a scale should be developed to further test the validity of the constructs in the subsystems. Keywords : Motivation, leadership, work environment, individual psychology

Investigating Teacher Identity Construction through the Study of Narratives and their Identity Portraits in Pakistan

The current article investigates teacher identity construction at the tertiary level educational institutions of Pakistan. Identity is the sense or perception about oneself and the position or role one has in a given context and environment; teachers construct their identities in the specific work and Institutional environments they face every day. This research adopted the Life History approach to narrative inquiry, where five participants were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview protocol that focused on the narratives; the narratives were inductively analyzed vertically and horizontally to reconstruct identity portraits for each participant. The portraits also presented commonalities and convergent issues and themes in identity development, such as the effect of positive or negative educational experiences; the role of the organizational culture, leadership and colleagues in shaping identity; the difficulties, negotiations and challenges experienced in the construction of identity; time and workload management issues.

Predictors of Job Stress Among Southern Correctional Staff

Job stress is a problem in corrections. Although the very nature of correctional work is stressful, workplace variables also contribute to correctional staff job stress. The job demands-resource model holds that job demands increase negative outcomes (e.g., job stress) and decrease positive outcomes (e.g., job satisfaction), whereas job resources help increase positive outcomes and decrease negative outcomes. An ordinary least squares regression analysis of self-reported survey data from 322 staff at a Southern prison indicated that input into decision-making and quality supervision had statistically significant negative effects on job stress, whereas role overload and fear of victimization had significant positive effects. Instrumental communication, views of training, and role clarity all had nonsignificant associations with stress from the job in the multivariate analysis. The results partially supported the job demands-resources model; however, the specific work environment variables varied in terms of their statistical significance. Correctional administrators need to be aware of the contribution that workplace variables have on job stress and make changes to reduce staff job stress.

Musculoskeletal Disorders a Universal Source of Pain and Disability Misunderstood and Mismanaged: A Critical Analysis Based on the U.S. Model of Care.

Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading source of pain and disability globally but are especially prevalent in the industrialized nations including the U.S. In addition to the substantial individual suffering caused the rising monetary costs of these disorders are noteworthy. In the U.S. alone the annual costs have been estimated to be $874 billion 5.7% of the annual U.S. G.D.P. Despite these expenditures the care provided to patients with musculoskeletal disorders is highly variable and has regularly been shown to have suboptimal outcomes. The many reasons for this ineffective care include the mutable nature of the prevailing syndromes and their limited and variable understanding. The care rendered by a broad and incongruent group of providers who practice disparate methodologies and employ variable treatments. Disorderedly triage comprised of arbitrary selection of providers, care methodologies, and treatments, which is prone to a range of extraneous influences. Treatments that are unable to apprehend the causative pathological processes, which are therefore progressive, cause irreversible damage to the respective musculoskeletal structures, and result in enduring pain and disability. The overall lack of preventative care and the consequent prevalence of these disorders especially in specific work environments and with certain high-risk life styles. This article makes recommendations for better understanding, prevention, early recognition, timely employment of disease altering therapies, streamlining the existing care, and policy initiatives for waste confinement and improvement. These discernments may improve the overall quality of care provided to these patients, diminish the staggering pain and disability caused, and can reduce the immense costs incurred.

Measuring the readiness level of logistics companies to industry 4.0

Purpose- Aim of the study is to determine readiness level of logistics companies to industry 4.0 to provide insights companies regarding which types of actions should be taken to achieve customer satisfaction and expectations. Industry 4.0 is a new concept that is still in development phase, and readiness level of the companies will be an indicator of the survival of logistics companies in the changing environment. Methodology- Indepth interviews conducted with logistics companies in a specific work environment to compare and contrast companies that are affecting from similar variables in the industry. Findings- Readiness levels of companies change according to customer bases, the vision of the company, scope of the company and some other variables. Conclusion- Logistics companies a different level of readiness regarding Industry 4.0 and measuring this levels offers insights fort he companies and guide them which measures they should take to achieve the higher level of integration.

Models of Determining the Parameters of Rock Mass Oscillation Equation with Experimental and Mass Blastings

The explosion caused by detonation of explosive materials is followed by release of a large amount of energy. Whereby, a greater part of energy is used for rock destruction, and part of energy, in the form of seismic wave, is lost in the rock mass causing rock mass oscillation. Investigations of the character and behavior of the pattern of seismic wave indicate that the intensity and nature of the seismic wave are influenced by rock mass properties, and by blasting conditions. For evaluation and control of the seismic effect of blasting operations, the most commonly used equation is that of M.A. Sadovskii. Sadovskii’s equation defines the alteration in the velocity of rock mass oscillation depending on the distance, the quantity of explosives, blasting conditions and geological characteristics of the rock mass, and it is determined based on trial blasting for a specific work environment. Thus, this paper offers analysis of the method for determination of parameters of the rock mass oscillation equation, which are conditioned by rock mass properties and blasting conditions. Practical part of this paper includes the experimental research carried out at Majdanpek open pit, located in the northern part of eastern Serbia and the investigations carried out during mass blasting at Nepričava open pit, located in central Serbia. In this paper, parameters n and K from Sadovskii’s equation were determined in three ways—models in the given work environment. It was noted that, in practice, all three models can be successfully used to calculate the oscillation velocity of the rock masses.

Testing the Job Demands‐Resources Model for Nigerian Prison Staff Job Stress

AbstractJob stress is the psychological tension, distress, and anxiety caused by stressors at work, and job stress is linked to numerous negative outcomes. While the nature of working with inmates can cause stress, work environment variables also contribute to the job stress of prison staff. The current study used the job demands‐resource model as a theoretical guide to explore the effects of job demand variables (that is, perceived dangerousness of the job, and role overload) and job resource variables (that is, supervision, job variety, instrumental communication, and job autonomy) on the job stress of staff at a medium‐security prison in Southeast Nigeria. Perceived dangerousness of the job and role overload increased stress from the job while supervision reduced job stress. Job variety, instrumental communication, and job autonomy did not have significant positive effects on job stress. The results partially supported the job demands‐resources model; however, specific work environment variables varied in terms of their statistical significance. Prison administrators need to be aware of the contribution that work environment variables have on job stress and need to make changes to reduce job stress among prison staff.

Precizinių rastrų formavimo sistemos juostos poslinkio matavimo junginio skaičiuojamieji tyrimai / Analytical research of displacement measuring unit of the precise raster-forming systems

The precision raster-forming systems creation and development must be based on research in the specific work environment. In not ideal metrological conditions the precision raster-forming system allows to achieve high accuracy of the calibration, when used dynamic calibration method.The paper analyzes the possibility of analytical modeling of one main part (steel tape displacement measuring unit) of precise raster forming systems. In the work, a linear mechanical model of steel tape was applied to the load. The work described the equation, which describes the steel tape deformation model under loads with boundary conditions.

The gendered workplaces of women garment workers in Istanbul

Drawing on 20 semi-structured interviews with women garment workers in a low-income neighbourhood of Istanbul, and observations in the ateliers where they worked, this article examines their work experiences in the gendered and sexualised work atmosphere of garment workshops. There are three interrelated levels upon which the gender-related issues emerge in women garment workers’ stories. The first set of discourses portrays young female garment workers in highly sexualised terms, and the second concerns the use of kinship vocabulary and avoidance of impersonal work relationships. That is, women workers’ experiences in capitalist production sites were trivialised and regulated through the sexualisation of their bodies and the deployment of kinship idioms while addressing their role at the workplace. The third level analyses women’s submissive, subversive or contradictory responses to these gendered disciplinary techniques and representations, i.e. the construction of their subjectivities. These three levels point to two things: first, cultural presumptions about marriage, women’s sexuality and reproductive cycles are materialised at the workplace. Second, gendered instantiations of these presumptions in a specific work environment are both informed by their familial roles (such as daughter, wife, mother, widowed) and inform their future reproductive preferences (whether they marry, have a child, get a divorce, etc.). This article shows how the ways in which women’s difference is construed and acted upon in the garment industry are inseparable from women’s reproductive decisions.

How harsh work environments affect the occupational accident phenomenology? Risk assessment and decision making optimisation

This paper describes a procedure to evaluate the risk of occupational accidents combining SKM (SOM & K-Means) and FAP (Fuzzy Logic approach) to explicitly take into account the impact that harsh productive environments can have on the occupational accident dynamics. The procedure proposed consists of an advanced approach based on two evaluation steps: (1) the investigation of occupational accidents dynamics in a productive sector through the SKM approach, based on neural networks; (2) the occupational accidents risk assessment for a specific plant through the Fuzzy Logic approach, exploiting the knowledge inherent in the accident analysis of an industrial sector to the benefit of the risk assessment in a specific work environment. The application of SKM and FAP approach respectively to the metallurgical sector and to an Italian industrial plant allowed the validation of the proposed procedures.Taking into account the accidents occurred in the Piedmont metallurgical sector from 2006 to 2013, the risk assessment for an Italian steel-manufacturing company was carried on, highlighting how a critical work environment can affect the accident dynamics, and how to correctly take into account their impact during the risk assessment could bring to an effective operational safety improvement.