IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i21p14107-d956757.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

New Work Poses New Challenges—The Importance of Work Design Competencies Revealed in Cluster Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Fiona Niebuhr

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany)

  • Greta M. Steckhan

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany)

  • Susanne Voelter-Mahlknecht

    (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

The continuous transformation process in the world of work, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, is giving employees more scope to shape their own work. This scope can be experienced as a burden or as a resource for employees. Work design competencies (WDC) describe employees’ experience of their scope for design. Our study draws on existing datasets based on two Germany-wide studies. We used hierarchical cluster analyses to examine patterns between WDC, the age of employees (range: 18–71 years), the amount of weekly work time working from home (WFH), and work ability. In total, the data of N = 1232 employees were analyzed, and 735 of them participated in Study 1. To test the validity of the clusters, we analyzed data from N = 497 employees in Study 2. In addition, a split-half validation was performed with the data from Study 1. In both studies, three clusters emerged that differed in age and work ability. The cluster with the highest mean of WDC comprised employees that were on average older and reported a higher mean of work ability. Regarding WFH, no clear patterns emerged. The results and further theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Overall, WDC appear to be relevant to work ability and, in a broader sense, to occupational health, and are related to sociodemographic factors such as age.

Suggested Citation

  • Fiona Niebuhr & Greta M. Steckhan & Susanne Voelter-Mahlknecht, 2022. "New Work Poses New Challenges—The Importance of Work Design Competencies Revealed in Cluster Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14107-:d:956757
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14107/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14107/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fiona Niebuhr & Prem Borle & Franziska Börner-Zobel & Susanne Voelter-Mahlknecht, 2022. "Healthy and Happy Working from Home? Effects of Working from Home on Employee Health and Job Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Antimo Moretti & Fabrizio Menna & Milena Aulicino & Marco Paoletta & Sara Liguori & Giovanni Iolascon, 2020. "Characterization of Home Working Population during COVID-19 Emergency: A Cross-Sectional Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Melanie Ebener & Hans Martin Hasselhorn, 2019. "Validation of Short Measures of Work Ability for Research and Employee Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-15, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Malou Grubben & Sara Wiertsema & Remco Hoekman & Gerbert Kraaykamp, 2022. "Is Working from Home during COVID-19 Associated with Increased Sports Participation? Contexts of Sports, Sports Location and Socioeconomic Inequality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-12, August.
    2. Fiona Niebuhr & Prem Borle & Franziska Börner-Zobel & Susanne Voelter-Mahlknecht, 2022. "Healthy and Happy Working from Home? Effects of Working from Home on Employee Health and Job Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, January.
    3. Stefania Angela Di Fusco & Antonella Spinelli & Lorenzo Castello & Edoardo Mocini & Michele Massimo Gulizia & Fabrizio Oliva & Domenico Gabrielli & Giuseppe Imperoli & Furio Colivicchi, 2021. "Impact of Working from Home on Cardiovascular Health: An Emerging Issue with the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-12, November.
    4. Pelly, Diane & Daly, Michael & Delaney, Liam & Doyle, Orla, 2022. "Worker stress, burnout, and wellbeing before and during the COVID-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115098, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    5. Juliana Salvadorinho & Leonor Teixeira, 2023. "Happy and Engaged Workforce in Industry 4.0: A New Concept of Digital Tool for HR Based on Theoretical and Practical Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-29, February.
    6. Giuseppe Varavallo & Giulia Scarpetti & Filippo Barbera, 2023. "The moral economy of the great resignation," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    7. Pauliina Husu & Kari Tokola & Henri Vähä-Ypyä & Harri Sievänen & Tommi Vasankari, 2023. "Accelerometer-Measured Physical Behavior and Cardiorespiratory Fitness as Indicators of Work Ability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-12, April.
    8. Jorge de Andrés-Sánchez, 2023. "A Configurational Evaluation of Spanish Teleworkers’ Perception and Nonperception of Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-16, July.
    9. Christine Ipsen & Marc van Veldhoven & Kathrin Kirchner & John Paulin Hansen, 2021. "Six Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Working from Home in Europe during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    10. Clara De Vincenzi & Martina Pansini & Bruna Ferrara & Ilaria Buonomo & Paula Benevene, 2022. "Consequences of COVID-19 on Employees in Remote Working: Challenges, Risks and Opportunities An Evidence-Based Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-18, September.
    11. Joon-ho Kim & Seung-hye Jung & Bong-ihn Seok & Hyun-ju Choi, 2022. "The Relationship among Four Lifestyles of Workers amid the COVID-19 Pandemic (Work–Life Balance, YOLO, Minimal Life, and Staycation) and Organizational Effectiveness: With a Focus on Four Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-31, October.
    12. Patricia Concheiro-Moscoso & Betania Groba & Francisco José Martínez-Martínez & María del Carmen Miranda-Duro & Laura Nieto-Riveiro & Thais Pousada & Cristina Queirós & Javier Pereira, 2021. "Study for the Design of a Protocol to Assess the Impact of Stress in the Quality of Life of Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-11, February.
    13. Wenjing Cai & Svetlana Khapova & Bart Bossink & Evgenia Lysova & Jing Yuan, 2020. "Optimizing Employee Creativity in the Digital Era: Uncovering the Interactional Effects of Abilities, Motivations, and Opportunities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-19, February.
    14. Linda Widar & Birgitta Wiitavaara & Eva Boman & Marina Heiden, 2021. "Psychophysiological Reactivity, Postures and Movements among Academic Staff: A Comparison between Teleworking Days and Office Days," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-16, September.
    15. Loreta Tobia & Pierpaolo Vittorini & Giulia Di Battista & Simona D’Onofrio & Giada Mastrangeli & Pietro Di Benedetto & Leila Fabiani, 2024. "Study on Psychological Stress Perceived among Employees in an Italian University during Mandatory and Voluntary Remote Working during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-15, March.
    16. Saila Kyrönlahti & Subas Neupane & Clas-Håkan Nygård & Jodi Oakman & Soile Juutinen & Anne Mäkikangas, 2022. "Perceived Work Ability during Enforced Working from Home Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic among Finnish Higher Educational Staff," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-13, May.
    17. Allstrin, Susanna & Grafström, Jonas & Stern, Charlotta & Weidenstedt, Linda, 2022. "Managing Work from Anywhere: Six Points to Consider for HR Professionals," Ratio Working Papers 357, The Ratio Institute.
    18. David Shaholli & Maria Vittoria Manai & Francesco Iantorno & Luca Di Giampaolo & Hector Alberto Nieto & Emilio Greco & Giuseppe La Torre & Simone De Sio, 2024. "Teleworking and Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review on Health Effects and Preventive Measures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-19, September.
    19. Höcker, Martin Christian & Voll, Kyra & Bachtal, Yassien Nico & Pfnür, Andreas, 2024. "Return to Office: The importance of the physical workplace and organisational culture," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 149747, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    20. Simone Donati & Gianluca Viola & Ferdinando Toscano & Salvatore Zappalà, 2021. "Not All Remote Workers Are Similar: Technology Acceptance, Remote Work Beliefs, and Wellbeing of Remote Workers during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-19, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14107-:d:956757. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.