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Workplace flexibility and job satisfaction: some evidence from Europe

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  • Federica Origo
  • Laura Pagani

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to empirically test whether various flexible work arrangements produce different effects on alternative measures of job satisfaction in Europe. To test the existence of heterogeneity in the impact of flexibility on job satisfaction, the paper verifies whether this relation varies with workers' characteristics. Design/methodology/approach - Empirical evidence is based on a representative sample of European employees taken from a specific wave of the Eurobarometer survey. An ordered probit estimator is used to get the relevant estimates and endogeneity problems have been addressed by exploiting the richness of the data‐set in terms of information on workers' attitude toward work and life (used as proxies of unobserved time‐invariant factors, which are the primary source of endogeneity). Findings - A positive link was found between functional flexibility and job satisfaction and either no effect or a negative impact of quantitative flexibility. The positive impact of functional flexibility is greater when considering satisfaction for intrinsic aspects of the job. Estimates by workers' characteristics highlight interesting differences by age, skill and country of residence. Research limitations/implications - The major limitation is the cross‐sectional nature of the data, but there was no awareness of any panel data containing information on all the relevant variables of this analysis. Originality/value - With respect to the existing literature, the paper simultaneously considers different types of flexibility and estimates their effect on different facets of job satisfaction, also considering the impact of flexibility on job satisfaction by workers' characteristics. This evidence may be useful to firms in designing more tailored flexibility packages.

Suggested Citation

  • Federica Origo & Laura Pagani, 2008. "Workplace flexibility and job satisfaction: some evidence from Europe," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 29(6), pages 539-566, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:ijmpps:v:29:y:2008:i:6:p:539-566
    DOI: 10.1108/01437720810904211
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Dan Bodescu & Alexandru-Dragoş Robu & Andy Felix Jităreanu & Ioan Puiu & Andrei Mihai Gafencu & Florin Daniel Lipşa, 2022. "Work Satisfaction in the Food Industry—A Premise for Economic Performance," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Michael Beckmann & Thomas Cornelissen & Bern Schauenberg, 2009. "Fixed-term employment, work organization and job satisfaction: Evidence from German individual-level data," Working papers 2009/09, Faculty of Business and Economics - University of Basel.
    3. Hyo-Sun Jung & Hye-Hyun Yoon, 2021. "Generational Effects of Workplace Flexibility on Work Engagement, Satisfaction, and Commitment in South Korean Deluxe Hotels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-13, August.
    4. Josu Santos‐Larrazabal & Imanol Basterretxea, 2022. "Intercooperation, flexicurity and their impact on workers: The case of Fagor Electrodomésticos," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 93(3), pages 607-635, September.
    5. Agnieszka Springer, 2011. "Chosen factors affecting employees' satisfaction (Wybrane czynniki ksztaltujace satysfakcje pracownika)," Problemy Zarzadzania, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 9(34a), pages 162-180.
    6. Rožman Maja & Treven Sonja & Čančer Vesna, 2017. "Motivation and Satisfaction of Employees in the Workplace," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 8(2), pages 14-25, September.
    7. Gustavo A. García & Diego René Gonzales-Miranda & Oscar Gallo & Juan Pablo Roman-Calderón, 2018. "Employee Involvement and Job Satisfaction: A Tale of the Millennial Generation," Documentos de Trabajo de Valor Público 16516, Universidad EAFIT.
    8. Viete, Steffen & Erdsiek, Daniel, 2015. "Mobile information and communication technologies, flexible work organization and labor productivity: Firm-level evidence," ZEW Discussion Papers 15-087, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    9. Lannoo, Steven & Verhofstadt, Elsy, 2016. "What drives the drivers? Predicting turnover intentions in the Belgian bus and coach industry," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 251-259.
    10. Krause-Pilatus, Annabelle & Rinne, Ulf & Schneider, Hilmar, 2019. "Arbeitszufriedenheit in der modernen Arbeitswelt," IZA Standpunkte 94, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    11. Raquel Justo & Emilio Congregado & Concepción Román, 2021. "Becoming self-employed from inactivity: an in-depth analysis of satisfaction," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 145-187, January.
    12. Mohit Yadav & Santosh Rangnekar & Umesh Bamel, 2016. "Workplace Flexibility Dimensions as Enablers of Organizational Citizenship Behavior," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 17(1), pages 41-56, March.
    13. Magdalena Graczyk-Kucharska & Robert Olszewski & Gerhard-Wilhelm Weber, 2023. "The use of spatial data mining methods for modeling HR challenges of generation Z in greater Poland Region," Central European Journal of Operations Research, Springer;Slovak Society for Operations Research;Hungarian Operational Research Society;Czech Society for Operations Research;Österr. Gesellschaft für Operations Research (ÖGOR);Slovenian Society Informatika - Section for Operational Research;Croatian Operational Research Society, vol. 31(1), pages 205-237, March.
    14. Hyunmin Choe & Yongwon Kim & Sungok Moon, 2022. "The Effect of Labor Flexibility on Financial Performance in Korea: The Moderating Effect of Labor Relations Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-13, February.
    15. Beckmann, Michael & Hegedüs, Istvan, 2011. "Trust-based working time and organizational performance: evidence from German establishment-level panel data," Working papers 2011/13, Faculty of Business and Economics - University of Basel.
    16. José Manuel Lasierra & José Alberto Molina & Raquel Ortega, 2016. "How does work management improve job satisfaction? Evidence from Spain," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 36(2), pages 1202-1213.
    17. Merja Kauhanen, 2012. "The impact of the near superior’s management on worker wellbeing, retirement intentions, and establishment productivity," Working Papers 279, Työn ja talouden tutkimus LABORE, The Labour Institute for Economic Research LABORE.
    18. Nazia Zabin Memon & Lalatendu Kesari Jena, 2017. "Gender Inequality, Job Satisfaction and Job Motivation: Evidence from Indian Female Employees," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 42(3), pages 253-274, August.
    19. Malgorzata Zajdel & Malgorzata Michalcewicz-Kaniowska & Bartosz Mickiewicz & Cosmina Toader, 2021. "Employee‘s Satisfaction within the Context of an Organization’s Development: Study Results," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 3), pages 1-10.

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