Work Tasks Research Articles

Interrelationships among age, time horizons, and uncertainty: emotional experiences and workplace learning

Abstract The present study examines interrelationships among age, time horizons, and uncertainty and how they influence preferences for work tasks. We tested hypotheses that were grounded in socioemotional selectivity theory about the role of uncertainty in age differences in work task preferences. The study included 213 participants who were full-time workers aged 25–76 years. Consistent with previous findings, both older ages and shorter occupational time horizons were associated with preferences for emotionally meaningful work tasks over career-advancing tasks. Uncertainty about work was unrelated to work preferences in younger and middle-aged workers, but work uncertainty in older workers was associated with a reduced motivation for emotionally meaningful work. These findings suggest that workplace uncertainty could potentially reduce age-related prosociality at work. Findings make theoretical and applied contributions to the understanding of age-diverse occupational settings.

External Factors Influencing the Motivation and Performance of Staff in Their Nutritional Work With AdultsWith Intellectual Disabilities.

Staff working in municipal care homes with adults with intellectual disabilities impact their diet significantly. To explore how external factors influence staff's motivation and performance of nutritional work with these residents. Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 11 staff using systematic text condensation for analysis. Five main themes were revealed: Need for the implementation of the official nutritional guidelines, lack of nutritional skills and knowledge, prioritisation of nutritional work tasks, staff's ethical dilemmas with the different legislations and management anchoring and collaboration. Implementing systematic nutritional routines and clarifying nutritional work in practice were emphasised to promote continuity and better cooperation among the staff. This, and the need for increased nutritional competence in the municipality organisation, adequate framework conditions for nutritional work and practical and pedagogical measures for nutritional tasks, were crucial factors for staff's motivation, performance, consistency and equality in nutritional practice.

The Hierarchy of Factors Important for Work Engagement in Different Types of Remote Working

The growing popularity of remote and hybrid work has changed the dynamics of how teams function and accomplish work tasks, creating opportunities to align work practices with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Remote work not only promotes labor market inclusion by eliminating barriers such as those of transportation but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with daily commuting. However, despite the advantages of remote work, researchers and practitioners point to the problem of unstable engagement among remote workers. This study examines the key factors influencing work engagement in remote and hybrid work models, looking at how these factors vary depending on the degree of remote work and the nature of the work. Based on a systematic review, 14 critical factors influencing engagement were identified, followed by the development of a questionnaire and the analysis of responses from 181 employees representing various remote work models. The results obtained in the survey indicate the universal importance that work–life balance, open access to organizational knowledge, and a personalized work environment have for building work engagement. At the same time, the extent of remote work, the form of employment, and team integration methods influence the importance of other factors, revealing differences between fully remote and hybrid employees. The findings underline that building effective strategies to foster engagement should be based on adapting the actions taken to specific work conditions.

Occupational Therapy Interventions and Their Impact on Work Performance and Activities of Daily Living in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to various physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that significantly impact daily activities and work performance. Occupational therapy (OT) plays an important role in managing MS by providing interventions designed to improve functional performance, promote independence, and enhance overall well-being. Aim. To evaluate the impact of OT interventions on work performance and activities of daily living in individuals with MS. Methods. A total of 776 participants diagnosed with MS were included in this study. Data were collected through structured questions extracted from the MS Quality of Life-54 questionnaire. The study assessed the relationships between the type of MS, work performance, daily activities, and the effectiveness of OT interventions. Statistical analyses included Chi-Square tests, correlation analysis, calculations of standard deviation and variance, Box Plots, and ANOVA tests. Results. The study found that 65% of participants reported reduced working hours, 78% performed fewer activities than desired, and 66% experienced limitations in work tasks or daily activities due to MS. Emotional problems also impacted work performance and daily activities. The ANOVA test revealed significant differences in reduced working hours, fewer activities, and the impact of emotional problems among different types of MS. Specifically, the relapsing-remitting type of MS showed the highest impact on work performance and daily activities. Conclusions. OT plays a crucial role in addressing the functional and emotional challenges associated with MS. The interventions are particularly beneficial in improving work performance and daily activities, especially for individuals with the relapsing-remitting type of MS. Individualized OT strategies should be tailored to address the specific needs of individuals with different types of MS. Keywords: occupational therapy; multiple sclerosis; daily activities; work performance.

The Impact of Organizational Climate on Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy and Work Task Motivation: An Analysis of Primary School Teachers in Aizawl.

The Impact of Organizational Climate on Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy and Work Task Motivation: An Analysis of Primary School Teachers in Aizawl.

Evaluating massage therapy for radiation-induced fibrosis in rats: preliminary findings and palpation results

ABSTRACT Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) is a common side effect of cancer treatment, but can manifest into a devastating syndrome for which there is no preventive measure or cure. In rats who perform a repetitive work task, who left untreated develop signs and symptoms that resemble repetitive motion disorders in humans, we have shown that manual therapy prevents the development of fibrosis and other key biomarkers. The fibrosis of RIF and repetitive motion disorders has similar biomarkers. In rats, we sought to determine if manual therapy would alter key biomarkers of post-irradiation fibrosis following X-ray irradiation given to the rat forelimb. One limb of rats was given a damaging dose of X-ray irradiation. Some limbs were massaged using a protocol previously described and characterized. Serum inflammatory markers, histological assays of tissue fibrosis and nerve pathology, and electrophysiology for neuropathic discharge were assayed after 8 weeks. We also tested if an experienced therapist could identify the irradiated limb using blinded palpation at the 8 week end-point. While preliminary assays showed robust changes compared to control limbs, the other assays did not show similar pathology. Our therapist could detect each irradiated limb. Serum inflammatory markers were reduced by massage to the irradiated limb. We conclude that blinded palpation is sensitive to detect subtle changes in tissue following irradiation. In contrast to the preliminary studies, the dose of irradiation used was insufficient to induce long-lasting deep fibrosis or nerve degeneration. We suspect that a difference in housing, and thus physical activity, was the plausible reason for this difference.

Creating Connection: Building a Culture of Belonging in the Workplace

This article explores how organizational leaders can cultivate a culture of connection where employees feel a strong sense of belonging by discussing the importance of social bonds for both individual well-being and organizational success based on research evidence showing that loneliness and lack of social connection are linked to poorer physical and mental health as well as lower performance, productivity and creativity at work, while socially-connected workplaces outperform those characterized by disconnect. The article provides strategies for leaders to promote meaningful social bonds by emphasizing the need to intentionally create an inclusive culture through implementing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to foster a sense of belonging for all employees, cultivating compassion by establishing formal and informal support systems that demonstrate care for employees' wellness, and facilitating shared experiences through community-building activities and social events that help employees connect on a personal level beyond just work tasks. Exemplar companies that comprehensively implement these types of initiatives through programs promoting unusually strong employee collaboration, retention, morale and organizational success are shown to benefit from nurturing social bonds so that when these bonds are cultivated, both individuals and their workplaces can thrive.

Electromyographic Activity of Cervical Muscles in Patients with Neck Pain and Changes After Dry Needling: A Narrative Review.

Neck pain can be associated with specific conditions, such as neurological disorders, vascular or inflammatory diseases, fractures, herniated discs, etc. However, the majority of neck pain cases cannot be attributed to a specific cause. The objective of this review is to describe the muscle dysfunctions associated with neck pain, as measured by electromyography, and to determine the effectiveness of dry needling in improving these muscular dysfunctions. The research was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Alcorze, and Google Scholar. The next conclusions have been extracted after the revision of the 65 selected manuscripts. The current scientific evidence supports electromyographic pathological findings in individuals with chronic neck pain, especially during general upper limb movement, repetitive work, violin playing, cervical force, and cervical movement tasks. Dry needling applied to an active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius can be suggested as an intervention to enhance the performance in the cranio-cervical flexion. Dry needling applied to latent myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius after typing tasks in healthy subjects resulted in decreased upper trapezius activity and fatigue in the short term. In women with trapezius myalgia, dry needling applied to the upper trapezius led to a lower increase in electromyography activity compared to no intervention.

Social work as a tool for the implementation of social policy in Russia

The article examines the key social problems of modern Russian society. It is emphasized that social work is one of the effective ways to implement the social policy of the state. The content of social work as a specific activity is revealed. The article outlines the tasks of social work and presents the main characteristics.

The specialization/collaboration paradox: Investigating specialization within child welfare as a barrier to collaboration

Abstract Existing research highlights the trend of organizing social services into specialized units, addressing specific areas such as child welfare. Further specialization within child welfare extends to target groups (youth vs child) and work task dimensions. The literature remains inconclusive about whether specialization enhances or hinders social work practice. Potential drawbacks of specialization, like gaps between services and a lack of a holistic view, are assumed to increase the need for collaboration. However, specialization might impede collaboration due to profession-specific tensions, such as differing cultures or turf issues. Empirical findings suggest challenges in collaboration both within and between specialized organizations. This study explores how various specializations in child welfare relate to social workers’ perceptions of collaboration within their workgroup, between different social service units, and with external organizations, considering factors like work demand, time spent with clients, and work experience. Analysing survey data from 2003 to 2018 with 895 social workers in Stockholm County, the present study uses generalized estimating equations to address clustering within organizations. The findings indicate a potential positive association between target group specialization and perceived collaboration functionality within the workgroup and with external organizations, challenging assumptions that specialization hinders collaboration and suggesting that target group specialization could facilitate collaboration.

Wired for work: brain-computer interfaces’ impact on frontline employees’ well-being

PurposeNeurotechnologies such as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are rapidly moving out of laboratories and onto frontline employees' (FLEs) heads. BCIs offer thought-controlled device operation and real-time adjustment of work tasks based on employees’ mental states, balancing the potential for optimal well-being with the risk of exploitative employee treatment. Despite its profound implications, a considerable gap exists in understanding how BCIs affect FLEs. This article’s purpose is to investigate BCIs’ impact on FLEs’ well-being.Design/methodology/approachThis article uses a conceptual approach to synthesize interdisciplinary research from service marketing, neurotechnology and well-being.FindingsThis article highlights the expected impact from BCIs on the work environment and conceptualizes what BCIs entail for the service sector and the different BCI types that may be discerned. Second, a conceptual framework is introduced to explicate BCIs’ impact on FLEs’ well-being, identifying two mediating factors (i.e. BCI as a stressor versus BCI as a resource) and three categories of moderating factors that influence this relationship. Third, this article identifies areas for future research on this important topic.Practical implicationsService firms can benefit from integrating BCIs to enhance efficiency and foster a healthy work environment. This article provides managers with an overview of BCI technology and key implementation considerations.Originality/valueThis article pioneers a systematic examination of BCIs as workplace technology, investigating their influence on FLEs’ well-being.

Analyzing Occupational Accidents and Exoskeleton Potential in the Construction Industry in Québec, Canada

Occupational applications Our analysis of construction firm accident data in Québec, Canada, spanning from January 2019 to June 2022, provides critical insights for ergonomics and human factors practitioners. The predominant accidents involved being struck by objects (31%) and falls (15%), with lacerations and bruises comprising 37% of injuries. Notably, carpenters had the highest accident rate (22%), prompting attention to task-specific safety measures. We also examined musculoskeletal injuries (MSI), finding that bodily reactions (46%) and overexertion (44%) were primary causes. Importantly, we qualitatively explored the potential of exoskeletons as possible proactive safety measures; our results suggested that in 50% of MSI cases, exoskeletons might have helped to mitigate or eliminate risks. These findings underscore the potential for exoskeletons to enhance safety and productivity in the construction industry, offering opportunities for intervention and preventive measures in ergonomics practice. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: The construction industry is a hazardous working environment, having a relatively high risk of accidents and injuries compared to other industries. Purpose: We aimed to describe the characteristics of work accidents in a large construction firm in Québec, Canada, using accident data from the Health, Safety, and Environment Department. Methods: Our dataset spanned from January 2019 to June 2022 and included 2065 complete entries for analysis. Accidents were categorized using a standardized classification scheme, augmented with additional accident types to provide more precision. Results: The most common type of accident was being struck by an object, comprising 31% of reported incidents, followed by falls at 15%. Lacerations and bruises were the most prevalent injuries, accounting for 37% of cases, with injuries to the hand (31%) and the head/eye (24%) being the most frequent. Among the trades analyzed, carpenters had the highest accident rate at 22%, closely followed by laborers at 20%. We also focused on occupational musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in the dataset to qualitatively investigate the viability of exoskeletons as a proactive safety measure. Of the 268 incidents categorized as MSI-related (13% of the 2065 events), bodily reactions (46%) and overexertion (44%) were the leading causes. A detailed qualitative analysis of the event descriptions suggested that if exoskeletons had been made available and used, they could have contributed to reducing or eliminating MSI risk in 50% of cases. Conclusions: These results contribute to enhancing safety and productivity in the construction industry by providing insights into work accidents and task characteristics that can be used to improve exoskeleton design and compatibility with the work to be performed.

Discovering the Hidden Work of Commodified Care: The Case of Early Childhood Educators

The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the care economy, including commodified early childhood education and care (ECEC). While there is some literature about the low paid, invisible, and undervalued skills among the predominantly female workforce in the ECEC sector, there is little research into what these educators do in their working day and how this contributes to quality education and care for young children. This article provides a detailed examination of ten defined domains of ECEC work tasks, derived from data generated by educators’ use of ‘intensive hour’ time-diary methodology. The results reveal that the outstanding characteristics of this occupation are multi-tasking and the rapid switching of tasks as educators manage diverse expectations arising from work with groups of very young children, families, other staff, and meeting legislated responsibilities. Drawing on William J. Baumol’s economic theory, we consider the implications for productivity and cost tensions in ECEC.

Adult migrants’ Norwegian language learning investment strategies in the workplace

Abstract Learning the host country’s language(s) is a necessary step toward social and professional inclusion for migrants. However, it is often regarded as a challenging task that depends heavily on the sociocultural context in which migrants are situated. This study explores the Norwegian language learning strategies of highly educated Indonesians outside the classroom, particularly in the workplace, in Norway. Following the social turn in second language learning research, the study aims to investigate how social context influences migrants’ strategies for learning Norwegian. The data were collected through a combination of qualitative methods consisting of sequential in-depth interviews, language diaries, and focus group discussions with four focal participants, including both recently arrived and long-term migrants. Based on Darvin and Norton’s (2015) investment model, participants’ narratives of their reported language learning strategies are analyzed in relation to language ideology, identity, and capital in their language learning experiences. The findings from this study suggest that migrant learners’ ideal learning strategies are influenced by their language ideologies. However, different contextual factors, such as work tasks and roles, have a considerable impact on their learning opportunities, and consequently, on why and how they end up using certain learning strategies but not others. Migrants’ professional identities also play an important role in their strategy choice and use. By analyzing migrant learners’ narratives, this study provides a nuanced and learner-centered understanding of language learning strategies in the context of migration in the globalized world. This study also contributes new insights into the use of learning strategies of languages other than English by adult migrant learners inside and beyond the classroom.

Allocating investigative resources within the Hungarian police force

The distribution of authority and competence is essential for all organizations, including law enforcement. The main focus is not just the existence of this distribution but its actual functionality, particularly from a professional and scientific standpoint regarding resource allocation. Distributing work tasks involves determining the general investigative authority's capacity to respond to crimes across different geographical areas. The aim is to deploy the appropriate forces and tools to different cases. Efficient distribution of resources is crucial as it impacts the quality of criminal investigation work, minimizes crime-related costs, and mitigates social effects. This study aims to evaluate how well the current regulations and practices match investigative resources with arising tasks and what principles guide the allocation of police forces and assets for law enforcement purposes. The focus is on whether the police's investigative activities are effective socially and scientifically rather than purely from a statistical viewpoint.

ANALISIS PENERAPAN STANDAR OPERASIONAL PROSEDUR (SOP) DALAM MENINGKATKAN EFEKTIFITAS KINERJA PEGAWAI PADA KANTOR CAMAT MA’U KABUPATEN NIAS

Standard Operating Procedures are guidelines or references for carrying out work tasks under the functions and performance assessment tools of government agencies. This research aims to analyze the application of standard operating procedures (SOP) in improving the effectiveness of employee performance at the Ma'u District Head Office, Nias Regency. This research was carried out as a qualitative type of research with a descriptive approach because this type of research aims to describe and analyze phenomena, events or social activities that are occurring currently at the Mau Subdistrict Office, Nias Regency. The results of this research are: SOP implementation has been implemented but in this case, efficiency has not yet been implemented according to existing Administrative Service SOPs in carrying out duties and responsibilities, so processing letters by the public takes too long. In this case, the obstacles are due to work delays, discrepancies, non-compliance with existing procedures, and limited and delayed information. Efficiency and consistency are necessary in implementing SOPs to maximize existing work. Keywords: Standard Operating Procedures; Employee Effectiveness; Employee Performance

Musculoskeletal Disorders and Related Risk Factors in Iranian Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) are prevalent and costly diseases in military occupations. WRMSDs are prevalent and costly diseases in military occupations. We investigated the exposure to ergonomic risk factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among military personnel in the workplace. We aimed to investigate MSDs by conducting electronic searches on Persian databases such as SID, MagIran, and IranMedex, and English databases like PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Scopus. The search was not restricted by time and was conducted until Dec 20, 2021. Two researchers independently extracted the data, and the quality of the research was evaluated using the STROBE checklist. The results of different studies were merged and incorporated into the analysis using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) v3 software. Eleven qualitative studies found that 92% of the respondents were men (83% to 96%). The mean age was 34.17 ± 0.16 yr, with a confidence interval (of 95% CI:33.85-34.48). The mean BMI was 25±0.39 with a confidence interval of 95% CI:24.28-25.84. The mean work record was 12.89±0.81 yr with a confidence interval of 95% CI:11.30-11.48. The highest outbreak of MSDs is in the knee at 38.1% (95%CI:32.1-44.4), 37.6% of the neck (95% CI:24.8-52.5), and 32.5% of the shoulder. (95%CI:22.5-44.3) was observed. The wide role of various dimensions of work tasks and repetitive tasks (such as lifting, moving or changing positions, standing for long periods, as well as improper postures) in causing WRMSDs. Additionally, the risk factor in the workplace has financial implications for the military organization. The reduction of physical and psychological demands, as well as the improvement of ergonomic standards in the workplace, should be addressed to decrease MSDs in military centers.

Performing the ideal adoptive parent in Swedish adoption assessment interviews

ABSTRACT Assessment and evaluation of parenting ability are central tasks in social work. However, parenthood is a normative and morally bound practice, subject to cultural expectations about what constitutes ‘good’ parenthood. In adoption assessment interviews, prospective adoptive parents’ potential as parents is thoroughly examined, requiring adoption applicants to articulate their ideas about future parenthood. This study is based on authentic assessment interviews conducted in Sweden between social workers and prospective adoptive parent, in the context of an international adoption process. The article explores how ideals of adoptive parenthood are expressed and performed by prospective adoptive parents in their interactions with social workers. The findings show that adoption applicants present their suitability as parents based on references to children’s needs, specific personal characteristics, and envisioned future actions. The study supports previous research on idealized parental models in adoption assessments and provides insights into how these portrayals are shaped through interaction. Furthermore, the study raises questions about the governance of specific parenthood ideals and the limited opportunities adoption applicants have to express or explore alternative perspectives on parenthood.

Метаресурс жизненной успешности у различных категорий сотрудников органов внутренних дел Российской Федерации

The article poses the problem of studying the constructive (resource) aspect of the personality of employees of internal affairs bodies, which has a positive impact on the success of their professional activities. An understanding of the meta-resource of a person’s success in life is given, which helps determine the significance of individual elements of life and its general understanding, performs an acceptor function and is a predictor in relation to subjective (internal) and some objective (external) indicators of professional success of employees of internal affairs bodies. A meaningful description of the components of the meta-resource of life success as a systemic education is presented: reflexive mechanisms, integrative qualities and emotional experiences. The purpose of the study, which is to study the severity of the components of the metaresource of life successfulness and their relationship among various categories of employees of internal affairs bodies, was achieved through the use of comparative analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis difference test and correlation analysis when processing empirical results obtained from a sample of employees consisting of 1278 people (adjuncts, cadets, teachers of educational organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, psychologists working with personnel and PDN employees from various regions of the Russian Federation). The study was carried out using the author’s methodology “Success in Life” (N.A. Deeva (Semenova)). The results of a comparative analysis of empirical data showed the presence of statistically significant differences between the indicators of reflexive mechanisms and emotional experiences in the studied categories of employees. The lowest indicators are typical for the categories of adjuncts and PDN employees; the most favorable picture is typical for teachers and cadets. The results of the correlation analysis showed the most favorable picture also in the categories of cadets and teachers, where all indicators of the components of the metaresource of life successfulness have positive significant relationships. In the categories of adjuncts, psychologists and PDN employees, there is a lack of significant correlations between indicators of emotional experiences and indicators of reflexive mechanisms and integrative qualities. This feature is probably associated with the nature of professional activity and is expressed by problems of emotional involvement in the process of anticipating the results of activity, emotional assessment of the results obtained, and emotional experience of the process of achieving the goal. The article outlines the possibilities of taking into account the results obtained when implementing the main directions and tasks of psychological work within the framework of moral and psychological support for the activities of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation.

Employer representatives' experiences of supporting employees with cognitive impairments in a digital work environment.

Digital work poses cognitive demands on all employees, but the impact is greater for employees with cognitive impairments. Digitalization also has significant implications for employer representatives as they are responsible for the work environment. However, knowledge is scarce concerning employer representatives' perspectives on identifying needs and support for employees with cognitive impairments working in a digital work environment. To describe employer representatives' experiences of work environment management with focus on employees with cognitive impairments working in a digital environment. Focus group methodology was used. Six employer representatives with work environment responsibilities participated. One overall theme "Mastering the interconnected processes in a transformative digital work environment" as well as three themes "Facilitating good digital work conditions", "Identifying needs and difficulties in work tasks among employees' with cognitive impairments" and "Pursuing knowledge and collaborations to support employees with cognitive impairments" with subthemes were identified. The themes describe employer representatives' challenges and efforts to identify fluctuating needs in employees with cognitive impairments and, also, to organize and reduce cognitive demands in the work environment to support them. Managing the challenges of an evolving digital work environment and matching individual work ability of employees with cognitive impairments in relation to cognitive demands is an ongoing process. The participants valued cooperation with employees with cognitive impairments but lacked support from expertise. The need to develop and implement a functioning support system for vocational rehabilitation to ensure a sustainable work in digital work environments is indicated.