Sustainable Work Research Articles

Work and Environmental Factors on Job Burnout: A Cross-Sectional Study for Sustainable Work

In the context of sustainable development, the occupational sphere must be integrally considered within health promotion frameworks, ensuring an equitable work–life balance while recognizing and amplifying the capabilities of every employee. Concurrently, there is a notable trend of physicians transitioning from public to private healthcare sectors, with burnout frequently cited in scholarly discourse as a primary catalyst for this shift. The objective of our study was to examine the vulnerability of medical staff to burnout. To achieve this, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis involving 1084 physicians from various specialties, employed in urban hospital settings. This research was executed via the distribution of an anonymous questionnaire, utilizing the Google Forms platform during work hours. The questionnaire was based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scale, specifically adapted for medical professionals, requiring respondents to provide insights into their experiences. Analysis of the collected data from a total of 614 respondents indicated a moderate predisposition towards burnout among the sample. These findings underscore the necessity for interventions targeting organizational flexibility and, notably, the restructuring of remuneration practices. Salaries often do not reflect the terms of employment contracts across numerous EU jurisdictions, necessitating urgent reforms. In conclusion, the reinforcement of interpersonal dynamics within medical teams and between healthcare institutions and their practitioners emerges as a critical strategy. Enhancing these relationships is essential for revitalizing the healthcare delivery system, ensuring that medical professionals are adequately compensated in alignment with the principles of sustainable employment.

Conceptualization of the Norwegian feed system of farmed Atlantic salmon

The total production of Norwegian Atlantic salmon is expected to increase considerably in the years to come. A majority of greenhouse gas emissions from aquaculture is accounted for by feed. To investigate and assess the sustainability and robustness of the feed system, a holistic perspective on the system is needed. We aim to conceptualize the current value chains of feed in Norway using the Food Systems Approach, existing literature, and stakeholder inputs. The Sustainable Development Goals include no specific mention of feed. Still, many Norwegian feed and animal producers link their sustainability work to these goals. This paper summarizes the sustainability perspectives of feed and animal producers in the aquaculture sector, as well as relevant background, regulations, and environmental and socio-economic drivers.

The case for a climate bonus: waste pickers’ perceptions of climate change in Minas Gerais

While the work of waste pickers advances urban sustainability, there has been little focus on how climate change impacts affect them. This paper reports on a pilot study with 61 waste pickers in Minas Gerais, Brazil to understand their perspectives on climate change impacts and actions. It explores how waste pickers experience climate change impacts at home and at work, their adaptive strategies and the specific actions and actors needed to address these impacts. Waste pickers have practical knowledge and experience of climate events. But due to precarious employment and lack of access to services, infrastructure and social support, their responses are improvised and inefficient. They require better institutional support and their proposals must be incorporated into a negotiated approach to urban resilience. Proposals such as the climate bonus – similar to the existing recycling bonus – may help address the structural drivers of vulnerability for waste pickers in Minas Gerais.

Rights of Workers in the Era of Remote Work in India: Legal Challenges and Solutions

In the rapidly evolving landscape of remote work in India, there is a pressing need to navigate the legal challenges inherent in this shift. This article delves into the intricacies of the rights of remote workers within the Indian legal framework, aiming to offer insightful analyses and viable solutions. The article explores the dynamic nature of remote employment, particularly amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote work, a burgeoning trend accelerated by global circumstances, presents both opportunities and hurdles for workers and employers alike. Despite its prevalence, remote work lacks specific regulation under Indian law, posing challenges in areas such as contractual agreements, labor disputes, and worker protections. These challenges are compounded by the absence of clear guidelines and monitoring mechanisms, leading to concerns over productivity, work-life balance, and mental health. To address these complexities, the article advocates for the establishment of comprehensive regulations tailored to the nuances of remote work. Emphasizing objective-based performance assessments, flexible work arrangements, and safeguards for worker well-being, it underscores the importance of adapting legal frameworks to accommodate the evolving nature of employment relationships. By navigating these legal challenges and implementing effective solutions, India can foster a more equitable and sustainable remote work environment, ensuring the protection of workers' rights in the digital age.

Changes in family situation and concurrent changes in working life: a 15-year longitudinal analysis

ObjectiveCurrently, little is known regarding changes in family situation with concurrent changes in working life. This study aimed to examine whether changes in family situation (based on living with children...

Mechanical Properties of Aeolian Sand Concrete Made from Alkali-Treated Aeolian Sand and Zeolite Powder.

The aim of this study is to promote the application of the excited zeolite powder (ZP)with aeolian sand powder (ASP) in the field of aeolian-sand concrete (ASC) production. This study utilises NaOH to treat composite cementitious materials containing aeolian sand and zeolite powders, which were used to replace 50% of the cement in aeolian-sand concrete (ASC). Production of alkali-inspired cement-based windswept concrete(AAZC).The mechanical properties of treated ASC considerably improved, especially when the NaOH dosage was 4% by mass. After curing this sample (denoted as AAZC-4) for 28 d, its compressive strength improved by 17.2%, and its split tensile increased by 16.3%. Potassium feldspar and montmorillonite in zeolite powder and SiO2 in the sand were decomposed by OH- and combined with other elements to generate various silicate gels and A-type potassium zeolite crystals inside the concrete. Microscopic examination showed that the gels and crystals intertwined to fill the pores, decreasing (increasing) the percentage of large (small) pores, thus optimising the pore structure. This substantially improved the mechanical properties of ASC. Freeze-thaw salt-intrusion tests showed that the extent of mass loss, degree of damage and loss of compressive strength of AAZC-4 were similar to those of ordinary concrete but were reduced by 36.8%, 19% and 52.1%, respectively, compared with those of ASC. Therefore, AAZC-4 has a sustainable working performance in chloride-ion permeable environments in cold and arid areas.

Entrepreneur coaches’ flow and well-being: the role of recovery

ABSTRACT Entrepreneur coaches face increased well-being challenges due to their demanding roles. However, they also often report experiencing flow – an immersive, enjoyable state of intense focus that positively affects well-being. In this qualitative study of 20 self-employed career, executive, health, leadership, and life coaches, we aimed to understand entrepreneur coaches’ experience of flow and relationships with recovery at work. We found that recovery was important for entering flow and coaches actively scheduled recovery activities, such as regular breaks, to support recovery and to enter and sustain flow. These findings contribute to research on how the interplay between flow and recovery can contribute to the well-being and sustainable working lives of entrepreneur coaches.

Social sustainability: what implications for social work?

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the lack of clarity regarding social sustainability and the scarcity of guidance on how social workers may achieve it in their daily practice. The research delves into the concept from the viewpoint of 140 Italian social workers, presenting findings from exploratory research conducted between September 2022 and January 2023. The research aims to answer two questions: 1) How do social workers perceive the link between social sustainability and social work? 2) What conditions favour or hinder the social sustainability of social work in its daily practice? The study employed a structured online interview with closed and open-ended questions, investigating the social sustainability definition and its implications for social work. The results shed light on equity and social justice as the main elements of socially sustainable social work. They also highlight the importance of inter-sectoral collaborations and organisational interventions to contribute to social sustainability.

Improved High-Temperature Stability and Hydrogen Penetration through a Pd/Ta Composite Membrane with a TaTiNbZr Intermediate Layer

In the hydrogen separation membrane, a dense TaTiNbZr amorphous layer was prepared between Pd and Ta to form a Pd/TaTiNbZr/Ta membrane system to prevent the reaction between Pd and Ta at high temperatures. The structural and chemical stability of the Pd/TaTiNbZr/Ta film system at high temperatures were investigated by annealing at 600 °C for 24 h. The high-temperature hydrogen permeation properties of the Pd/TaTiNbZr/Ta film systems were investigated by hydrogen permeation experiments at 600 °C after heat treatment for 6 h. The TaTiNbZr layer was significantly hydrogen-permeable. With the increase in the thickness of the barrier layer, the hydrogen permeability of Pd/TaTiNbZr/Ta decreased, but its hydrogen permeation flux was smaller than that of the highest value of Pd/Ta when it reached the steady state. The presence of the TaTiNbZr layer effectively blocks the interdiffusion between Pd and Ta to form TaPd3, improving the sustained working ability of the Pd/TaTiNbZr/Ta membrane system. The results show that TaTiNbZr is a candidate material for the intermediate layer to improve the high-temperature stability of metal-composite hydrogen separation membranes.

Enhancing Workplace Discipline for Improving Employee Productivity at PT Sumber Bintang Rezeki Bawen

Human resources play a crucial role in shaping and developing companies, being a vital element for organizational sustainability. The success of a company heavily relies on the presence of talented and outstanding workforce capable of proactively adapting to the dynamics of globalization era. Every individual in the organization has the potential to influence the achievement of organizational goals, and in an increasingly competitive environment, employees must be diligent in their efforts. Quality human resources can be measured through their level of productivity, which is reflected in their ability to efficiently complete tasks and achieve set goals. Efforts to achieve company goals and targets become more easily attainable, and company growth is assured when employees have high levels of productivity. High work productivity helps companies enhance their growth, while less productive employees become impediments to achieving company targets. The company's focus on profitability and meeting the best consumer needs underscores the importance of sustainable work productivity. Employee work productivity becomes crucial as it contributes to the sustainable provision of quality products, thereby enabling the company's profit targets to be achieved. Work productivity, which is a comparison between the results achieved and the resources used, indirectly affects the company's profit achievement. Factors such as employee discipline also influence the level of work productivity, emphasizing the importance of effective human resource management in achieving organizational goals.

Greening the UAE workforce: Can green human resource management and domestic environmental regulations support green innovation at the workplace?

This study aimed to investigate how legal regulations mediated the relationship between green human resource management (GHRM) practices and innovation in organizations. It assessed the impact of GHRM on employees’ commitment to environmental sustainability through training and communication. Additionally, the study examined how employees’ environmental values influenced their innovative behavior within the organizational context. The study used structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis. A survey was conducted among 246 employees aged 20-59 years and employed in transportation (Etihad Airways and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority), tourism (Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah Group, Sheraton, and Hilton), energy and utilities (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Masdar City, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company), development (Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities, Research Technology and Innovation Parks, and National Health Authority), and agriculture (Agthia Group, Badia Farms, Al Dahra, and Al Rawabi) sectors. GHRM practices significantly affected employees’ attitudes and behaviors, fostering their engagement in sustainability initiatives. Environmentally conscious employees favored creative and sustainable work practices. Domestic legal regulations and organizational practices enhanced the innovative response. Moreover, younger pro-environmentalist employees demonstrated increased receptivity to GHRM practices compared to older employees. In conclusion, GHRM contributed to economic diversification in the UAE by fostering a workforce skilled in sustainable practices, attracting talent to support emerging industries, aligning with economic reforms, and enhancing the overall reputation of the country as a hub for sustainable and diversified economic activities.

Optimizing the Maastricht Work-Related Support intervention in clinical patient care: the value of integrating action research into intervention mapping

BackgroundHealthcare professionals (HCPs) are increasingly recommended to play an important role in supporting people with chronic disease in work participation. An intervention for HCPs to provide work-related support to their patients in clinical care was developed with intervention mapping (Maastricht Work-Related Support; Maastricht WRS). Action research proposes ‘combining research and practice’, which allows us to incorporate experiences of HCPs while implementing and to realize intervention’s full potential. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore, by integrating action research into an intervention mapping approach, how experiences of HCPs with early implementation can be used to optimize the Maastricht WRS in clinical care.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were held with nine HCPs (response rate 82%), involved in care for people with inflammatory arthritis, knee problems or inflammatory bowel disease. Some of them were not yet trained in the Maastricht WRS while others had received the training and were providing the Maastricht WRS.ResultsAll participants regarded WRS an important part of clinical care. Untrained HCPs indicated a lack of knowledge and skills in providing the Maastricht WRS, and a need for tools. Trained HCPs were satisfied with the training and tools, but stressed that practical limitations hindered providing the Maastricht WRS. Action research showed that the intervention meets the needs of HCPs, but need some optimizations: (1) organizing ‘intervision’ for HCPs, (2) inform and activate patients to discuss work with their HCP, (3) update initial tools and (4) including patients’ work status in the electronic patient system.ConclusionsAction research integrated into intervention mapping proved to improve the Maastricht WRS intervention. By involving HCPs, the intervention could be optimized to provide to support people with chronic diseases in clinical care in healthy and sustainable work participation.

Tree plantation for implementing the land utilization policies incorporate with sustainable development towards environmental concerns in Assam, India

Environmental scientists have been considering the best use of natural resources in recent years, and in order to maintain sustainability, the government can no longer manage these resources alone without the support of the local people. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of tree plantations in the hillsides and wasteland for addressing sustainable environmental considerations and providing a framework for implementing land utilization policies incorporated with sustainable developmental work towards environmental concerns and priorities. In this continuous and progressive-centered participatory research, 300 participants voluntarily joined in two stages of fieldwork, planted 300 saplings, and nurtured them for approximately four years. Because of the tropical monsoon, the mountain climate with high temperatures, frequent heavy rains, and high humidity, as well as the ongoing efforts of the local peoples to care for the agro-forestry saplings, this tree plantation operation in the hillsides and wasteland was successful. The locals continued to care for the saplings even after the project was completed in order to find both immediate and long-term financial benefits. Nonetheless, participant feedback was gathered, and the skewed median centered data was analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test to evaluate the working hypotheses. The findings showed that there were no significant differences in the opinion of the participants' with planting trees or their comprehension of using human potential for sustainable farming, land readjustment, and food management. It concluded that tree plantation could provide a framework for implementing land utilization policies to incorporate sustainable development towards environmental concerns and priorities in Assam, India.

Changes in memory and attention during and after occupational rehabilitation: A longitudinal study.

There is need for more knowledge about the relationship between work and cognitive functioning in sick-listed individuals. This study investigated whether the degree of work participation is relevant for recovery of cognitive functioning in sick-listed individuals. 177 occupational rehabilitation participants and 70 controls participated in a non-randomised, longitudinal study. Participants completed computerised cognitive tests targeting sustained attention and working memory at start and end of rehabilitation and 3 and 12 months after rehabilitation. The change score performance in attention and memory between start and end, start and 3 months and 12 months was compared in individuals on sick leave 100-75%, 74-40% and 39-0% (three sick leave groups) of the time in the year after rehabilitation, and a control group not being on sick leave. Fixed effect analysis of covariance adjusting for education and work ability was used. The sick leave group 100-75% had significantly lower score on work ability compared to the other groups at baseline. The main findings indicated that the sick leave group 39-0% improved significantly more in sustained attention compared to the sick leave group 100-75% between start and end of rehabilitation and from start of rehabilitation to 3 and 12 months after. The degree of work participation seems relevant to recovery of the cognitive function sustained attention in sick-listed individuals. These findings encourage work rehabilitation clinicians, work consultants and employers to develop RTW plans which take into account that graded employment influence cognitive functioning.

Enhancing green service innovation behavior through green involvement: the role of information technology adoption

Purpose Developing green innovative services is critical to the restaurant industry to achieve significant benefits as well as environmental sustainability. This study aims to explore the mechanisms through which employees’ green involvement can foster green service innovation behavior.Design/methodology/approach The data set garnered from employees who worked in restaurants was used to test these mechanisms. A partial least square technique was conducted on this data set.Findings The results revealed the employees’ green involvement significantly influences their green service innovation intention, which subsequently influences their green service innovation behavior. Furthermore, information technology (IT) adoption was found to fortify the linkage of employee green involvement with green service innovation intention.Practical implications The results suggest to the restaurant industry that awareness of green service innovation and IT adoption practices can help restaurants to develop effective sustainability work practices and meet societal expectations.Originality/value This study extends the restaurant management literature by linking the green involvement of restaurant employees to green service innovation intention as well as identifying the moderating role of IT adoption underlying this link.

Role of Medical and Nursing Practitioners in Times of Pandemic: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Crisis and Future Prospects

Context: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic adversely affected the operation of health systems and services and dramatically increased the responsibilities of health professionals. Medical and nursing practitioners are an integral part of health care. They shouldered an important role in the fight against the novel coronavirus despite the potential risks. Evidence Acquisition: The present article applied a narrative approach to examine the nature and scope of the medical and nursing professions, especially during a pandemic or epidemic, and to describe the societal impact of the recent public health emergency. This study also analyzed the experience gained from the pandemic and how this could be used to ethically guide health services and clinicians through similar crises in the future. Results: The COVID-19 crisis revealed ethical dilemmas related to the retention of balance between the commitment to duty and the discretion to opt out. Health workers' obligation to treat derives from their professional role and is based on scientific, moral, and legal grounds. A pandemic mandates health staff to work at the limits of their competencies and entails the risk of infection with the pathogen, physical exhaustion, and emotional stress. The tremendous toll on society and health care due to the spread of a pathogen needs to be managed. The responsibility of clinicians to care for the sick is at the core of any successful response to a pandemic. Protective measures, safety training, sustainable working hours, and moral and fiscal compensation are essential prerequisites for the fulfillment of their tasks. Conclusions: Despite the reduced clinical severity associated with new variants, individual and collective fatigue among doctors and nurses continues to exist. The most recent epidemiological indicators show that the COVID-19 pandemic is still progressing but with a decelerating rhythm. In addition, preparation for a potentially catastrophic future pandemic is appropriate. Therefore, there is no time for complacency. All the involved parties need to ensure that health professionals uphold the mission of their profession.

Mining 4.0 and its effects on work environment, competence, organisation and society – a scoping review

AbstractThe mining industry is facing a technological shift with Industry 4.0 creating new conditions for mining. This is often referred to as Mining 4.0. To succeed through the technological shift, the industry need to handle several challenges wisely, such as how to utilise the new digital technology to promote sustainable work environments, how to recruit skilled workers to the industry, and how to manage organisational challenges as a result of the technological shift. This scoping literature review examines a large field of literature on how Mining 4.0 might affect the mining industry in areas such as work environment, competences, organisation and society, and what can be done to promote sustainability going forward. The paper also identifies several areas that have not been explored in previous research. These include empirical studies on the effects of the technological shift brought about by Mining 4.0 on work environments, and how to attract younger generations to mining to ensure sustainability in the industry going forward.

The interplay among employee resilience, sustainable HRM and work engagement

BACKGROUND: Given the unpredictable and turbulent times, the concept of employee resilience is gaining increased recognition within numerous organisations, as resilient employees excel in adapting to continually altering situations and recovering more quickly. Additionally, they demonstrate higher work engagement. Since employee resilience, as a personal resource, can be developed, the question is about the ways through which it can be enhanced. Similarly, when arguing that engaged employees are able to perform better, the next question pertains to the antecedents of work engagement. The previous literature provided support that human resource management (HRM) plays an important role in fostering employee resilience and work engagement. However, the dimension of sustainability in people management has been somehow neglected. The paper tries to close the gap and, drawing on the JD-R model, explores the relationship among three constructs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the paper is to reveal the interplay among employee resilience, sustainable HRM and work engagement. METHODS: Quantitative study. The data were collected using a survey. RESULTS: The core results revealed a positive link between sustainable HRM and work engagement. Additionally, employee resilience serves as a mediator. CONCLUSIONS: As an underlying mechanism, employee resilience influences the relationship between HRM practices and work engagement.

Human Resource Management Through Artificial Intelligence Model in the Healthcare

The increasing complexity of the healthcare industry necessitates the recognition of human resources as a primary sustainable source of competitive advantage within healthcare management systems. This significance is magnified when healthcare professionals, physicians and nurses are considered. When human resource management (HRM) is discussed, it must be acknowledged that personnel are not devoid of emotions. The fostering of a healthy and sustainable working atmosphere is considered a critical responsibility by professional managers. In this research, a novel human resource management model is presented, which is based on AI: machine learning within the healthcare context. A deep learning model architecture based on CNN has been designed and optimized, which is trained in two scenarios through four datasets and also customized for the target hospital. The 92% accuracy is the power of the model in the recognition. The effectiveness of the model is assessed by curating a new dataset consisting of facial images of hospital professional staff displaying eight emotions: happiness, contempt, anger, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, and neutrality. According to the post-implementation survey findings, the model has a positive impact on human resource management and enhances staff performance, making it suitable for modern and critical organizations such as hospitals and health canters. In the healthcare domain, effective communication is deemed essential for interactions with patients, as emotions play a significant role. Emotion recognition in human resource management has a profound impact not only on optimal work output but also on the relationships among personnel, clients, and the entire managed team.

Fuzzy Logic Method for Measuring Sustainable Decent Work Levels as a Corporate Social Responsibility Approach

The purpose of this study was to propose an interactive computer system that utilises the MATLAB Fuzzy Logic Designer to measure the level of implementation of SDG 8, which focuses on sustainable decent work (SDW) and economic growth. This study used policies and laws as parameters to determine the presence or absence of SDW. The fuzzy method was implemented in car windshield manufacturing in the auto parts industry as a case study to define and quantify work conditions and to determine the level of sustainable decent work (SDWL). The study described environmental conditions, such as noise, lighting, and heat stress; ergonomic factors, such as exposure time, the mass of the object manipulated, and lifting frequency; and organisation at work, such as workplace violence, salary, and workday, as linguistic variables. The level of the presence or absence of SDW was defined as their membership functions. The resulting vectors determined the absence of SDW with a score of 1.5 in two linguistic variables: environmental conditions and ergonomic factors. Some features of SDW in the linguistic variable organisation at work had an SDW score of 5. The SDWL vector determined a final score of 1.24, indicating the absence of decent work in production areas. This study found that the workers suffer a lack of long and healthy lives and a bad standard of living without economic growth due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders and work illnesses, increasing their out-of-pocket spending and catastrophic health expenses. As a CSR approach, assessing SDWLs helped managers improve policies and work conditions.