Work Design Factors Research Articles

Rwanda's Determining Factors for Equality in Women Leadership

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the determinant of equality practices on women leadership in Rwanda.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Results: The results revealed that there exist conceptual and contextual gaps relating to the study on equality practices on women leadership in Rwanda Government. Preliminary empirical review reveals that there was a historical conviction that, women are accountable to take care of kids and do household chores than involving themselves in outside home activities like career advancement or furthering in higher education.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Liberalism theory, alternate approach theory and patriarchy theory may be used to categorize the key work design factors which may relate to equality practices on women leadership in Rwanda. The results of this research will form the basis for further research to investigate into the areas of gender equality strategies in women leadership and evaluation

Factors Affecting the Gender Mainstreaming in Nigeria's Government Sector

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of traditional practices, gender roles, religious practices and community perception on women in gender mainstreaming process in recruitment in Nigeria
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Results: The results revealed that there exist conceptual and contextual gaps relating to the study on factors affecting the gender mainstreaming in Nigeria’s government sector. Preliminary empirical review reveals that gender roles have a positive and significant influence on gender mainstreaming process in recruitment in Nigeria.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social constructionism theory and feminist theory may be used to categorize the key work design factors which may relate to gender mainstreaming factors that are important to this study. The results of this research will form the basis for further research to explain how culture, gender roles and community perception on women influence the gender mainstreaming process in recruitment.

Sexual Gender-Based Violence Policy Implementation in India

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of Sexual Gender-Based Violence policy in India.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Results: The results revealed that there exist conceptual and contextual gaps relating to the study on implementation of sexual gender-based violence policy in India. Preliminary empirical review reveals that there was a lack of commitment to eliminate Sexual Gender- Based Violence by all stakeholders.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Resource theory may be used to categorize the key work design factors which may relate to implementation of Sexual Gender-Based Violence policy in India. The results of this research will form the basis for further research to explain the significance of implementation of gender based violence policy in India.

Changes in Gender Power Dynamics in Congo

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the changes in gender power relations among the people of Congo.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Results: The results revealed that there exist conceptual and contextual gaps relating to the study on the changes in gender power relations among the people of Congo. Preliminary empirical review reveals that Gender power relations underwent changes emanating from socio-economic and dynamics to fit within the capitalist production system.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Gender role theory and social construction theory may be used to categorize the key work design factors which may relate to gender power relations among the people of Congo. The results of this research will form the basis for further research to investigate into the areas of gender power relations.

Factors to Consider when Choosing Gender Studies at the Master's Level at Selected South African Colleges

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of choice of the master’s programme in gender and development studies in South Africa.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The results revealed that there exist conceptual and contextual gaps relating to the study on choice of the master’s programme in gender and development studies in South Africa. Preliminary empirical review reveals that lack of gender awareness featured primarily when the students did not feel suited to the choice, they had made due to factors such as family advice and their educational background constraints.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Rational choice theory may be used to categorize the key work design factors which may relate to human nature that are important to this study. The results of this research will form the basis for further research to benefit colleges in terms of knowledge contribution because it sought to highlight similarities and differences in the educational experience of women and men thus adding a qualitative aspect that needs to be addressed in any meaningful developmental discourse. 

Individual Resilience at the Heart of Work Design: Public Servants’ Job Satisfaction and Emotional Exhaustion in a Context of Adversity

This study examines individual resilience as a central mechanism between work design and work-related outcomes in a context characterized by high demands and acute or prolonged adversity: child and youth welfare during an ongoing pandemic. Expanding on a survey of 602 German professionals, structural equation modeling is applied to analyze (1) the relationship between work design and individual resilience, (2) the relationship between individual resilience and work-related outcomes, and (3) the role of individual resilience as a mediator. The results reveal positive relationships between two work design factors (social impact and feedback) and individual resilience. Other work design factors that have been much debated in the context of the pandemic (i.e., working from home and client contact) were not related to individual resilience. In turn, individual resilience is favorably related to job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion. The results also confirm the mediating role of individual resilience.

Impact of Work-Related Stress on Japanese Medical Professionals Employees' Psychological Well-Being

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of occupational stress caused by job stress factors, working relationships and physical working conditions on the psychological well-being of medical professionals in hospitals in Japan.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Results: The results revealed that there exist conceptual and contextual gaps relating to the study on effect of occupational stress caused by job stress factors, working relationships and physical working conditions on the psychological well-being of medical professionals in hospitals in Japan. Preliminary empirical review reveals that. only relationships with colleagues differ significantly based on the professional cadre of the respondents (p< 0.05) and insignificant relationship between job stress factors and psychological well-being (r = 0.058, p > 0.05).
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The job demand – control model and the job demands - resources model may be used to categorize the key work design factors which may relate to stress-related health issues. The results of this research will form the basis for further research to aid academicians and practitioners with knowledge on the relevance of establishing appropriate stress and health management system.

The Impact of Chosen Psychological Variables on Backslide among Recuperating Alcoholics in Rehabilitation Centers in Australia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the impact of chosen psychological factors to backslide among recovering alcoholics of Australian rehabilitation centers.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Results: The results revealed that there exist conceptual and contextual gaps relating to the study on psychological factors to backslide among recovering alcoholics of Australian rehabilitation centers. Preliminary empirical review reveals that the chosen psychological factor that mostly contributed to backslide was dwelling on resentment that causes anger due to unresolved conflict.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Psychoanalytic theory and social learning theory may be used to categorize the key work design factors which may relate to stress-related health issues. The results of this research will form the basis for further research to aid psychologists and counsellors to understand their critical role in the alcohol treatment and rehabilitation and make them more effective in the execution of their duties.

Cue consistency matters: how and when newcomers respond to supervisor creativity expectations

Organizations may hire newcomers as a source of creativity, bringing fresh ideas and novel solutions to benefit organizational performance. However, the conditions that foster newcomer innovation are not well understood. Drawing on behavioral plasticity and cue consistency theories, we investigate the combined influence of new job self-efficacy and two work design factors (work autonomy and work demands) affecting how supervisor creativity expectations (SCEs) translate into newcomers behaving innovatively. Two-wave data were collected from 108 graduates of a university in China. Results using reliability-corrected single indicator latent moderated structural equation modeling (RCSLMS) supported our hypotheses. Thus, SCEs predicted newcomer innovative behavior more strongly for newcomers with low new job self-efficacy. Moreover, supporting cue consistency theory, newcomers who perceived high SCEs and low new job self-efficacy demonstrated the highest level of innovative behavior when work autonomy was high or work demands were low. These results broaden the application of behavioral plasticity theory for understanding newcomer behaviors. Further, our findings emphasize the importance of consistent work environment cues to encourage newcomer innovation.

Evaluation of conventional and industry 4.0 manufacturing work design factors for performance based on personal characteristics

Performance of workers can be improved by effective design of work. Several work design factors, physiological, psychological, technological, organizational and social, have been identified in research literature. These factors influence the work in different forms, especially in combination with personal characteristics of workers. Manufacturing technologies are also changing with adoption of industry 4.0 practices. The objective of the research was to test whether workers with different personal characteristics had different relationships with work design factors in the conventional setting. The findings for the current conventional setup are extrapolated on an industry 4.0 work design model with important insights and observations. Managerial implications were inferred from the results which indicated age, education and family size as important variables affecting supervision (Mean HSE ( , training ( ), aptitude ( , pay and welfare ( ), job rotation , feedback , pace of operations , in conventional manufacturing. Old, experienced, educated and married workers with children give certain initiatives to management, which should be utilized for better performance in industry 4.0 production work. Keywords: Human Resource, industry 4.0, personal characteristics, production worker, work design

Nurses' perceptions of quality of work life in private hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria: A qualitative study

Despite being essential for retaining nurses, not much is known about nurses' quality of work life (QWL) in private hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. We explored nurses' perceptions of QWL, factors influencing it, how it affects motivation, and strategies for its improvement. The study was conducted in seven private hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria. The design was qualitative, using focus group discussion (n = 7) with registered nurses (n = 66) purposively selected using maximum variation sampling and the inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed using verbatim transcription and thematic analysis. The nurses understood QWL from work-family life, work design, work context and work world perspectives. Opportunities for skill acquisition, resource availability, helpfulness from colleagues, and a hygienic work environment improved the QWL and motivation of nurses. Work-family life factors including caring obligations, night shifts, long hours, burnout, and inappropriate leave policies; work design factors including declining autonomy, inadequate staffing, and a high workload; work context factors consisting of a lack of participatory decision-making, blaming nurses for gaps, restrictive training policy, limited training opportunity, and insecurity; and work world factors related to poor remuneration, poor community view of nursing and ease of job termination undermined QWL and demotivated nurses. Strategies identified by the nurses to improve QWL included improving staffing, vacation, care coordination, supportive supervision, teamwork, promotion, participatory decision-making, training opportunities, timely hand-over of shifts, job recognition, and compensation. The quality of nursing work life in private hospitals in Enugu needs improvement. Quality improvement programs addressing the barriers to nurses' QWL are warranted.

Influence of work design and work status on part-time employees' inclusion and work engagement: some Australian evidence

AbstractIncreasing numbers of people are working part-time (PT) hours, sometimes involuntarily (IPT). Australia has the fourth highest percentage of PT employees among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries (26%). This study examines relationships between work design factors and workplace inclusion for PT employees and identifies how perceived inclusion and work engagement of PT and IPT employees compares with full-time (FT) employees. Data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed to employees in Australia. A part-time work design model was developed and tested across two independent samples using partial least squares. Results suggest that PT and IPT employees feel less included in the workplace compared to FT employees. PT employees also perceive their roles to be less task interdependent. A key finding was that PT employees' perceived inclusion was related to proactive behaviors, autonomy, and job crafting, in addition to hours worked. Implications for the management of PT employees are discussed.

The Impact of Workaround Difficulty on Frontline Employees’ Response to Operational Failures: A Laboratory Experiment on Medication Administration

Operational failures persist, in part because employees work around them without engaging in actions to prevent recurrence. To break this cycle, we investigate the impact of work design factors on responses to operational failures. We use hospital nurses as subjects in a laboratory experiment, where, unknown to them, two medication administration supplies are missing. We observe their real-time responses to the two failures and whether they contribute an improvement idea. We randomly assign half of the participants to an experiment location far away from a satellite pharmacy where the missing supplies can be obtained (“difficult condition”), and the other half are located near the satellite pharmacy (“easy condition”). Both conditions contain risky, against-policy supplies that can be used to complete the work tasks, giving participants a choice between policy-compliant workarounds and risky, against-policy workarounds. In the first study, we find that participants in the difficult condition are more likely to contribute improvement ideas but are less likely to use policy-compliant workarounds. A second experiment with a 2 × 2 design shows that participants in the difficult condition who have high access to the process owner are more likely to use policy-compliant workarounds than when they have low access. Our results suggest that hospitals can increase communication about operational failures by deliberately making it difficult to work around them while simultaneously providing a high level of access to process owners. Otherwise, nurses encountering operational failures are likely to resort to against-policy workarounds, a behavior observed in practice. This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.

Shivani Carriers Pvt Ltd: Managing Employee Motivation at the Bottom of the Pyramid

The case, “Shivani Carriers Pvt. Ltd.: Managing Employee Motivation at the Bottom of the Pyramid”, has been designed to teach students about the basic principles of employee motivation. The case is also a representative example of the problems faced by small and medium-sized businesses in employee acquisition, motivation, and retention, especially at junior levels i.e. entry-level operational and front-line roles. The case documents the history and evolution of the driver management system (DMS) instituted by Vandana and Hemant Laddha at Shivani Carriers Pvt. Ltd. (SCPL). It looks at the constraints faced by the company and the challenges that emerged during the implementation of the new system. After initial success, Vandana Laddha faced a dilemma around the future direction of the DMS. The original incentive scheme had been a success: driver productivity and motivation had improved significantly. Given that the scheme had achieved its desired objectives, the firm had decided to modify it to further improve efficiency. However, employee discontent was brewing since the scheme had been modified. Vandana Laddha had to decide if she should she bring back the original incentive management scheme to quell employee discontent or should she introduce alternate initiatives to manage driver motivation? If she chose to introduce new initiatives, what could these be? What mechanisms would she need to put in place to support the new initiatives? What about the complaints of the drivers? What should she do to address the complaints of the drivers? The case provides students with an opportunity to understand the principles of employee motivation with the help of extant and contemporary research on motivation. It also sheds light on the link between initiatives aimed at increasing motivation and other managerial activities and mechanisms. Importantly, it helps students arrive at an integrated framework that links various aspects of employee motivation such as needs, cognitions, work design factors, organizational support and actions, organizational culture and industry context.

Co-operative work practices and knowledge sharing issues: A comparison of viewpoints

In this paper, we set out to explore the organisational knowledge that evolves from virtual co-operative work experiences. Through case narratives we demonstrate issues that can arise and using the four theoretical viewpoints of sociotechnology, knowledge management, organisational communication theory, and Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW) we develop practical insights into the organisational complexity of computer-supported and virtual teamwork. This complexity, we argue, requires a novel combination of work design factors including participation-related design and computer-supported tools. The outcome is improved communication and a fuller application of organisational knowledge that enhances the design and operation of co-operative work.

Working in light vehicles—A review and conceptual model for occupational health and safety

Occupational light vehicle (OLV) use is the leading cause of work related traumatic deaths in Westernised countries. Previous research has focused primarily on narrow contexts of OLV-use such as corporate fleet vehicles. We have proposed a comprehensive systems model for OLV-use to provide a framework for identifying research needs and proposing policy and practice interventions. This model presents the worker as the locus of injury at the centre of work- and road-related determinants of injury. Using this model, we reviewed existing knowledge and found most studies focused only on company car drivers, neglecting OLV-users in non-traditional employment arrangements and those using other vehicle types. Environmental exposures, work design factors and risk and protective factors for the wider OLV-user population are inadequately researched. Neither road- nor work-related policy appropriately addresses OLV-use, and population surveillance relies largely on inadequate workers compensation insurance data. This review demonstrates that there are significant gaps in understanding the problem of OLV-use and a need for further research integrating public health, insurance and road safety responses. The model provides a framework for understanding the theory of OLV-use OHS and guidance for urgently needed intervention research, policy and practice.

An empirical evaluation of the interpersonal and organisational correlates of professionalism in internal auditing

This study was designed to evaluate the extent of professional attitudes in internal auditors and to identify their association with interpersonal and organisational conditions of internal auditing. For these purposes, the generic features of internal auditing jobs were used to evaluate how the internal audit function is designed, and role stressors were used to capture expectations of role senders. It was hypothesised that job characteristics would generally be negatively associated with role stress and positively related to professionalism. Furthermore, role stress was hypothesised to be negatively related to professionalism. At a practice level, the results indicate that autonomy, feedback, and task significance from the set of job characteristics, and role conflict and role ambiguity from role stress, are related to some of the dimensions of professionalism. Only the relationships between role conflict and two professionalism dimensions were not in the hypothesised direction. The strongest support for the hypothesised relationship between job characteristics and role stress was found for skill variety, autonomy, and feedback. All were significantly related to all dimensions of role stress. However, skill variety was positively related to each dimension of stress. The results indicate that a complex set of work design factors have selective importance for creating and maintaining professional attitudes and behaviours of internal auditors.

Development of a comprehensive industrial work design model

An overview of the conceptual, theoretical, and interdisciplinary approaches to industrial work design is presented. Five existing models in the area of industrial work design are reviewed. A thorough understanding of the various factors affecting industrial work design is necessary for improving worker productivity, job satisfaction, safety, health, and well-being. With this objective in mind, a comprehensive model of industrial work design is developed. The model depicts the relationship among a great many factors that affect the design of industrial work: human, machine, job, workspace, and work design factors—social, psychological, physical/physiological, organizational, and economical. The subfactors are also identified. The model shows the expected work design attributes and outcomes. Hitherto, no other work design model has included so many relevant factors/subfactors as possible into a single model. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.