Work Characteristics Research Articles

From the Workroom to the Bedroom: Work-to-Home Spillover as a Mechanism Linking Work Characteristics to Sleep Health.

Work may influence the home domain and subsequently impact employee sleep. Past work found that negative spillover mediated the relationship between perceived unfairness about work and insomnia symptoms across 20 years. As an extension of past work, this study investigated whether negative spillover and positive spillover mediate the relationship between job demands (perceived unfairness, job discrimination) and job resources (coworker and supervisor support) on multidimensional sleep health. Two waves of survey data from a subset of full-time workers were obtained from the Midlife in the United States Study approximately 10 years apart. A sleep health composite captured irregularity, dissatisfaction, nap frequency, inefficiency, and suboptimal sleep duration (higher=more sleep health problems). PROCESS Macro evaluated cross-sectional (T1) and sequential (T1 exposureaT1 mediatoraT2 outcome) mediation pathways, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, physical health, neuroticism, and work hours. Both cross-sectionally and prospectively, higher negative spillover mediated the association of higher unfairness with more sleep health problems, and the association between higher discrimination and more sleep health problems. There was no support for positive spillover as a mediator between job resources and sleep health cross-sectionally or prospectively. Findings suggest that organizations should reduce the amount of negative spillover by limiting instances of unfairness and discrimination at work to promote specific aspects of employee sleep health such as sleep irregularity, dissatisfaction, efficiency, and nap frequency.

The Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT): A Nine-Month Evaluation of Use, Changes in Self-efficacy, Presenteeism, and Absenteeism in Workers with Chronic and Episodic Disabilities.

Enhancing workplace communication and support processes to enable individuals living with disabilities to sustain employment and return to work is a priority for workers, employers, and community stakeholders. The objective of this study was to evaluate a new resource that addresses support challenges, the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT), and assess its use, relevance, and outcomes over a nine-month follow-up period. Workers with physical and mental health/cognitive conditions causing limitations at work were recruited using purposive sampling. Online surveys were administered at baseline (prior to using the JDAPT), and at three and nine months post-baseline. Information was collected on demographics (e.g., age, gender) and work characteristics (e.g., job sector, organization size). Outcomes included assessing JDAPT use and relevance, and changes in self-efficacy, work productivity difficulties, employment concerns, difficulties with job demands, and absenteeism. Baseline participants were 269 workers (66% women; mean age 41years) of whom 188 (69.9%) completed all three waves of data collection. Many workers reported using JDAPT strategies at and outside of work, and held positive perceptions of the tool's usability, relevance, and helpfulness. There were significant improvements (Time 1-2; Time 1-3) in self-efficacy, perceived work productivity, and absenteeism with moderate to large effect sizes in self-efficacy and productivity (0.46 to 0.78). Findings were consistent across gender, age, health condition, and work context variables. The JDAPT can enhance support provision and provide greater transparency and consistency to workplace disability practices, which is critical to creating more inclusive and accessible employment opportunities.

Individual work-motive values: determinants and consequences for the appraisal of specific health-related work characteristics.

The objectives of the present study were to determine whether (I) work-motive values influence the appraisal of specific work characteristics of significance for health and function and (II) subject variables impact work-motive values. Two aspects of work-motive values were studied: values that assign importance to pursuing one's personal goals and interests, internally based work-motive values (IntWMVs), and values that assign importance to external factors, externally based work-motive values (ExtWMVs). These aspects of motive values, age, gender, skill level, managerial role, and specific psychosocial work characteristics were analyzed in a cross-sectional sample of 12,994 employees in 101 private and public organizations. Two-year follow-up prospective data from 6,252 employees in 69 organizations elucidated whether associations were stable over time. The results showed that IntWMV influenced reports of levels of control of decisions, empowering leadership, innovative climate, quantitative demands, feedback from work, and self-leadership. ExtWMVs were most consistently associated with role clarity. Skill level and managerial role were associated with reporting higher levels of IntWMVs and lower ExtWMVs. In conclusion, the present data support the assumption that work-motive values influence the appraisal, reporting, and consequently measurements of work characteristics. Managers differ from subordinates in work-motive values and may face challenges in ascertaining and supporting subordinates' needs.

The burdens and benefits of managing and engaging: a diary study approach to person-centred risk assessment of top executives and works council members

The present diary study investigates the impact of daily effort–reward imbalance (ERI), subjective stress and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) as an objective measure on work engagement of top managers and high-level works council members (N = 45) on three consecutive working days. In the scope of psychosocial risk assessment, we argue that focusing on ERI as a generalized work characteristic might be more suitable for work re-design of higher leadership positions because of their highly dynamic and unpredictable psychosocial work characteristics, while at the same time having more access to job resources. The analyses reveal that both baseline and daily ERI, as well as subjective stress, influence work engagement. Our results suggest that interventions to reduce daily levels of ERI may improve the work environment of top managers and works councils by promoting work engagement and related positive health outcomes in the scope of person-centred risk assessment.

A steady-state and dynamic response model for working characteristics prediction of the electromechanical transmission system including eddy-current magnetic coupler

In this paper, a steady-state and dynamic response model is proposed to predict the working characteristics of the electromechanical transmission system including eddy-current magnetic couplers. Considering the influence of mechanical characteristics of motor and load device on the performance of eddy-current magnetic couplers, the system is divided into input and output for kinematic analysis. The expressions of electromagnetic torque versus speed are obtained through layer analysis of the eddy-current magnetic coupler during steady-state and then, the dynamic response model of the system is established by combining the kinematic analysis with the motor, the eddy-current magnetic coupler and three typical loads (constant torque load, quadratic rate load and constant power load). The dynamic characteristics during starting and speed-regulation of the system under constant torque loads are analyzed using the proposed model. The variations of the torque and speed with time of input and output are calculated by numerical integration. Finally, the speed and torque during starting and speed-regulation computed with the dynamic response model are compared with those obtained from the experimental results. The result shows a good agreement.

Research on Piano Program Programming and Creative Optimization Methods Based on Big Data Technology

This study focuses on the programming and creative optimization methods of piano tracks based on big data technology. Through in-depth analysis of the potential application of big data technology in the field of music creation, we propose an innovative framework for piano repertoire programming and creative optimization. This framework fully utilizes the data processing and analysis capabilities of big data technology to mine massive piano repertoire data, extract music elements, style features, and creative patterns. In terms of piano repertoire programming, we use big data technology to quantitatively analyze music elements and construct a data-driven programming model. This model can automatically generate piano repertoire frameworks that match specific styles, emotions, and rhythms based on user creative needs, providing inspiration and direction for creators. In terms of creative optimization, we utilize machine learning algorithms based on big data technology to intelligently evaluate and improve piano tracks. By comparing and analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of different tracks in terms of melody, harmony, structure, etc., we have discovered and extracted the common characteristics of excellent works, providing guidance for creators to optimize their work. This article will focus on the programming and control capabilities of music programming in the design and composition process of big data technology, as well as optimization methods for music creation. Provide precise services for music teaching and research, promote the prosperity and development of music, and accelerate the integration and innovative development of information technology and music education and teaching. In terms of piano repertoire programming, we utilized big data technology to quantitatively analyze music elements and constructed a data-driven programming model. This model can provide creators with rich inspiration and clear direction based on their creative intentions and specific styles. In addition, our study also considered the recognition rates of training models for different instrument types. Through training and optimizing models, we have ensured that piano program programming and creative optimization processes can achieve high recognition rates and accuracy on different instrument types, thereby further expanding the application scope of big data technology in the field of music creation.

Digital social work

Social interaction through technology, professional intervention through digital tools, and reorganization of public and private organizations to digitalize their procedures and work with reliable and robust data are three processes that coexist and feed off each other, giving rise to the development of what has been called digital social work. In this article, we briefly analyze some of the characteristics of digital social work, the challenges faced in digitalized societies, and the broadening of the debate on digital divide, which goes beyond access issues, and focuses on what is now considered a key challenge for social welfare: digital vulnerability.

Predicting Workers' Stress: Application of a High-Performance Algorithm Using Working-Style Characteristics.

Work characteristics, such as teleworking rate, have been studied in relation to stress. However, the use of work-related data to improve a high-performance stress prediction model that suits an individual's lifestyle has not been evaluated. This study aims to develop a novel, high-performance algorithm to predict an employee's stress among a group of employees with similar working characteristics. This prospective observational study evaluated participants' responses to web‑based questionnaires, including attendance records and data collected using a wearable device. Data spanning 12 weeks (between January 17, 2022, and April 10, 2022) were collected from 194 Shionogi Group employees. Participants wore the Fitbit Charge 4 wearable device, which collected data on daily sleep, activity, and heart rate. Daily work shift data included details of working hours. Weekly questionnaire responses included the K6 questionnaire for depression/anxiety, a behavioral questionnaire, and the number of days lunch was missed. The proposed prediction model used a neighborhood cluster (N=20) with working-style characteristics similar to those of the prediction target person. Data from the previous week predicted stress levels the following week. Three models were compared by selecting appropriate training data: (1) single model, (2) proposed method 1, and (3) proposed method 2. Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) were calculated for the top 10 extracted features from the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model to evaluate the amount and contribution direction categorized by teleworking rates (mean): low: <0.2 (more than 4 days/week in office), middle: 0.2 to <0.6 (2 to 4 days/week in office), and high: ≥0.6 (less than 2 days/week in office). Data from 190 participants were used, with a teleworking rate ranging from 0% to 79%. The area under the curve (AUC) of the proposed method 2 was 0.84 (true positive vs false positive: 0.77 vs 0.26). Among participants with low teleworking rates, most features extracted were related to sleep, followed by activity and work. Among participants with high teleworking rates, most features were related to activity, followed by sleep and work. SHAP analysis showed that for participants with high teleworking rates, skipping lunch, working more/less than scheduled, higher fluctuations in heart rate, and lower mean sleep duration contributed to stress. In participants with low teleworking rates, coming too early or late to work (before/after 9 AM), a higher/lower than mean heart rate, lower fluctuations in heart rate, and burning more/fewer calories than normal contributed to stress. Forming a neighborhood cluster with similar working styles based on teleworking rates and using it as training data improved the prediction performance. The validity of the neighborhood cluster approach is indicated by differences in the contributing features and their contribution directions among teleworking levels. UMIN UMIN000046394; https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm.

Relation between work hours, work control, work stress, and quality of life in persons with spinal cord injury

BackgroundWork participation is related to a better quality of life (QoL) for people with spinal cord injury (SCI), however, the specific work characteristics that are related to QoL in people with SCI are largely unknown. ObjectivesTo investigate which work characteristics are related to QoL in people with SCI. MethodsCross-sectional survey of people with SCI in the Netherlands. The survey consisted of demographic, SCI-related, and work-related items. Work control was measured with the short Job Content Questionnaire and work stress with the effort-reward imbalance (ERI). People of working age with at least 1 h of paid work per week were included. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to examine the contribution of work characteristics to QoL while controlling for potential clinical and demographic confounders. ResultsThe study included 169 persons with SCI (74.6 % male, 47.8 ± 9.3 years, time since injury 18.9 ± 11.1 years). The final hierarchical regression model explained 31 % of the variance in QoL. The number of SCI-related health complications contributed the strongest to QoL (ß = −.36), followed by work hours (β = .24), and work stress (β = .24). However, work control did not contribute significantly to QoL in our final model. ConclusionWork hours and work stress contributed to QoL in people with SCI, but the number of SCI-related health complications was the strongest contributor. Future research and vocational rehabilitation should be directed to both medical and work-related variables to enhance the QoL of working people with SCI.

POLYPHONIC SPEECH IS THE BASIS OF A DRAMATIC WORK

The article provides an analysis of the linguistic characteristics of dramatic works, as well as the analysis of the linguopoetic characteristics of the dramas "Jalaluddin Manguberdi" and "Mirzo Ulugbek" by Maqsud Shaykhzoda as an example of type and genre.

Research on the flow field characteristics of solid rocket motor work at high altitudes based on immersed boundary method

Research on the flow field characteristics of solid rocket motor work at high altitudes based on immersed boundary method

Examining Career Insecurity: The Role of Workplace Characteristics in Remote Work

Examining Career Insecurity: The Role of Workplace Characteristics in Remote Work

Negotiating Work and Family Spheres: The Dyadic Effects of Flexible Work Arrangements on Fertility Among Dual-Earner Heterosexual Couples

Academics and policymakers have suggested making flexible work arrangements (FWAs) the default in workplaces to promote a family-friendly workplace culture conducive to having and raising children. However, systematic research investigating how FWAs, as a long-term approach to negotiating work–family spheres, are related to fertility among dual-earner heterosexual couples is limited. Drawing on the linked-lives perspective, we theorize the relationship between FWAs and fertility among couples and potential variation depending on the interplay of both spouses’ work and family characteristics. We test our hypotheses using longitudinal couple-level dyadic data in the United Kingdom (2010–2022). We find that although FWA availability alone is unrelated to fertility, wives’ (not husbands’) FWA use is significantly associated with a higher probability of experiencing a first birth. Moreover, the effect of wives’ FWA use is particularly pronounced when both spouses work in professional and managerial occupations and when husbands contribute a larger proportion of income and at least equal housework. This study reveals a gendered effect of FWAs on fertility across work–family arrangements, deepening our understanding of couple-level dynamics in the fertility process.

Prevalence and Predictors of Leg Cramps in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and determine predictors of leg cramps among pregnant women in their third trimester. A sample of pregnant women in their third trimester who routinely visited local clinics in Jordan was recruited. Participants completed a socio-demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) for leg cramp pain intensity, the Arabic version of the Pregnant Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). In addition, magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) serum levels were examined. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of leg cramps occurrence. A linear regression model was used to investigate predictors of leg cramps pain intensity among pregnant women who reported leg cramps. Two hundred and five (n=205) pregnant women completed the study. The estimated prevalence of leg cramps was 58%. Logistic regression results showed that not receiving assistance with housework (OR 0.46, p=0.025), progress in the number of gestational weeks (OR 1.10, p=0.021), the number of previous pregnancies (OR 1.21, p=0.049), having leg swelling (OR 2.28, p=0.019), and having gastrointestinal (GIT) problems (OR 2.12, P=0.046) were associated with a higher odds of leg cramps occurrence. In the subsample with pregnant women with leg cramps, linear regression results showed that pregnant women with high school education versus elementary school (β=0.70, p=0.012), number of working hours (β=0.11, p=0.010), using vitamins supplements (β=-1.70, p=0.043), having diabetes after pregnancy (β=1.05, p=0.036), having sciatica (β=0.58, p=0.028), having hip pain (β =-.33, p=0.029), and higher PSQI total score (β=0.09, p=0.020) were the significant predictors of leg cramp pain intensity. Many health-related conditions, as well as work and home-related work characteristics, may be considered risk factors for the occurrence of leg cramps and increased leg cramps pain intensity in pregnancy.

‘Gout was like the boss’. A qualitative study exploring the impact of gout on employment

ObjectivePrevious research has identified that gout impacts various domains of daily life. However, there have been no qualitative studies focusing on employment. This study aimed to understand the impact of...

Association between nurses' personal, professional and work characteristics, and engagement in hospital-based clinical research.

The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between demographic, professional and other personal nurse characteristics, social support factors and comfort in conducting research with nurses' level of active participation in clinical research. A prospective, cross-sectional, correlational design was used. Clinical nurses working in a multihospital healthcare system were recruited by email to complete an anonymous survey that used multiple valid and reliable scales to assess demographic and professional work characteristics, curiosity, grit, locus of control, perceived social support (for research activities), comfort in conducting research, and level of being research-active. Univariate and multivariable analyses were completed. Of 310 participants, 274 (88.4%) were female and mean (SD) age was 42.9 (13.1) years. After condensing 11 levels of research activity to four categories, 179 (57.7%) were not research-active, and 91 (29.4%), 26 (8.3%) and 14 (4.5%) were engaged at low, moderate, and high levels, respectively. Of 78 factors, 69 (88.5%) were associated with being research-active in univariate analyses. In multivariable analysis that adjusted for age, personal experience as a patient, years as a nurse and hours in direct patient care, professionalism characteristics, higher curiosity, internal locus of control, grit perseverance, support of a nurse scientist and nurse friends, and comfort in conducting research remained associated with higher levels of being research-active (all p < 0.01). Research-active nurses were more likely to be engaged professionally in hospital-based activities beyond their work roles and displayed higher levels of positive psychological characteristics and mentorship that supported research capacity. Research-active nurses were more likely to have internal factors and external resources that promoted higher levels of being research-active. A strong professional governance model may enhance clinical nurses research activities.

Association between work productivity and characteristics of adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia: an analysis of the XLH disease monitoring program.

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare, genetic, progressive, phosphate-wasting disorder that causes skeletal morbidities, stiffness, pain, and impaired physical function. This study used baseline data from the XLH Disease Monitoring Program to evaluate relationships between work productivity and patient characteristics (demographics, medical history, patient-reported, and functional outcomes) in adults with XLH. Bivariate analysis guided the selection of variables for multivariate analysis after adjustment for multicollinearity and conceptual overlap. The analysis comprised 281 subjects (75.4% female; 80.8% from USA; median age 39.2yr); 53.4% were employed full-time and 31.3% were not employed; 15.3% were receiving disability payments; 47.0% were taking burosumab at study entry. Most employed subjects were working full-time outside the home (69.9%) and in light or sedentary roles (59.6%). In multivariate analyses, patients with fewer orthopedic surgeries (odds ratio [OR] 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-0.96; p=.002) and better Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function scores (OR 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.15; p=.013) were more likely to be in full-time employment than not employed. Younger patients (OR 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99; p=.014) and those with fewer orthopedic surgeries (OR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73-0.95; p=.008) were more likely to be in medium than light or sedentary work. Those with worse WOMAC Pain scores were more likely to be doing heavy/very heavy than light or sedentary activity (OR 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07; p=.006). Full-time employment levels are low in adults of working age with XLH, and unemployment and disability payment rates are high, suggesting that XLH has a substantial impact on work productivity. Worse physical function and a greater number of orthopedic surgeries are associated with lower work productivity. Worse pain, higher number of orthopedic surgeries, and younger age are associated with heavier work roles; however, causality was not specifically investigated.

Experimental investigation of hydrodynamics and suspension characteristics in a boiling stirred tank reactor with helical coils

The boiling stirred tank reactor (BSTR) is widely used in the chemical industry, while the relevant basic data of hydrodynamics and suspension characteristics for reactor design are quite limited. In this work, the hydrodynamics and suspension characteristics in a BSTR with helical coils (BSTR@HC) were studied using three types of impellers. Particle image velocimetry and visualization experiments reveal different flow fields and nucleation processes of three impellers. Suspension experiments show that superficial vapor velocity, solid loading, and particle size play an important role for just-suspension impeller speed Njsv and power consumption Pjsv, while cloud height is mainly determined by superficial vapor velocity. Among the three impellers, radial impeller shows the best suspension performance in BSTR@HC. Correlations of Njsv and Pjsv were developed with relative mean deviations of 2.7% and 4.6%, respectively. Furthermore, a model for the estimation of energy efficiency was developed by evaluate specific power consumption εjsv.

The role of gained trust: effects on intrinsic motivation, person-job fit and turnover intentions among real estate brokers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze if gained trust is intrinsically motivating and whether it is correlated to subjective person-job fit and occupational turnover intentions among Swedish real estate brokers.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data was gathered via a survey targeting all real estate brokers in Sweden and analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicated that brokers are motivated by gained trust from their sellers and that gained trust is a vital part of person-job fit among brokers. In addition, the results show that higher levels of person-job fit reduce the occupational turnover intentions among brokers.Research limitations/implicationsBeing a real estate broker in Sweden might differ from being a broker in many other otherwise comparable countries. Another limitation is the lack of measurements of job satisfaction and/or intrinsic motivation connected to other job characteristics besides customer relations and gained trust. The high mean values of person-job fit, and intrinsic motivation connected to gained trust from customers are contributing to a more nuanced description of brokerage.Practical implicationsThis study gives insights about intrinsic motivation and its connection to person-job fit. Awareness of what drives brokes can be used by both workers and managers to reduce occupational turnover.Originality/valueThis study is interesting from a person-job fit theory advancement perspective since the focus is given to the connection between specific situational work characteristics and person-job fit.

The effect of leader-team (in-)congruence in future orientation on leader’s participative leadership: the moderating role of leader workload

Purpose Prior studies have consistently treated participative leadership as a given leadership style. Conversely, this study aims to prove that participative leadership can be predicted by leaders and teams collectively, depending on leaders' work characteristics (i.e. workload). Design/methodology/approach A two-source survey was designed to collect data from a sample of 89 leader-team dyads in a trading company in a southeastern Chinese city. Polynomial regression and response surface analysis were used to test the hypotheses. Findings The leader showed more participative leadership when leader-team future orientation was congruent rather than incongruent; in the congruent situation, there was an inverted U-shaped relationship between leader-team future orientation congruence and participative leadership; in the incongruent situation, when the team's future orientation gradually exceeded the leader's, participative leadership first increased and then decreased; and leader workload positively moderated the relationship between leader-team future orientation congruence and participative leadership. Originality/value These findings theoretically respond to the call for investigating the influence of leader-team future orientation congruence on leaders’ behaviors, and in practice enlighten managers on how to encourage supervisors to involve employees in decision-making processes.