Work - Volume 79, issue 3

Authors: Qi, Linyan | Fu, Qibo | Li, Wenchang | Wu, Jiheng | Li, Ji | Ni, Shaoqing

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: While CRCs play a crucial role in clinical trials, their job satisfaction has not received enough attention. OBJECTIVE: To assess the job satisfaction of CRCs and to explore the relevant factors. METHODS: The survey was programmed into an online questionnaire platform and distributed to CRCs in China for self-evaluation. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) was used to assess job satisfaction, and data on demographic characteristics, working situations, burnout and social support also were collected to identify factors associated with job satisfaction. Data analysis was performed using the R software program. Factors associated with job satisfaction …were explored using ordinal logistic regression models. RESULTS: 2,840 participants were included in this survey, and the mean value of overall job satisfaction was characterized as “moderate to not fully satisfied”. Additionally, both burnout and overall social support were reported at moderate levels. Ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that age, monthly income, sleep duration per day, weekly working time, a fixed workplace, subjective support, utilization of support, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment were significantly associated with all types of job satisfaction (p  <  0.05). Among all the factors, a fixed workplace was more strongly associated with job satisfaction than the other factors (OR = 0.596, p  <  0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing the fixed-point CRC mode to promote the provision of a fixed workplace, improving the CRC career development path, increasing income, subjective support and utilization of support, reducing weekly working time, job burnout will help to predict job satisfaction in CRCs. Show more

Keywords: Clinical trial, social support, burnout, research, working conditions, workplace

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230732

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1121-1132, 2024

Authors: Yaqian, Zhang | Chonggao, Wang | Fan, Zhang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: COVID-19 poses great challenges for preschool teachers in China, which will increase the level of job stress and job burnout, and have an impact on the relationship between job stress, job burnout, and perceived organizational support (POS). However, few studies have examined trilateral relationships, especially the role of POS concerning job stress and job burnout of preschool teachers. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship among the three variables of job burnout, job stress, and POS, as well as explore the moderating effects of POS between job stress and job burnout. METHODS: …A cross-sectional study was conducted among preschool teachers in six provinces of China. A total of 408 preschool teachers completed a self-report questionnaire, including three scales that measured job burnout, job stress, and POS respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to examine the relationship among variables. RESULTS: The results showed that job burnout among Chinese preschool teachers was at a medium level during the COVID-19 pandemic. Job stress was positively related to job burnout, and the POS was negatively related to job burnout. Additionally, POS moderated the relationship between job stress and job burnout and alleviated the adverse effects of job stress on the job burnout of preschool teachers. CONCLUSION: POS can play a moderating role between job stress and job burnout of Chinese preschool teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Show more

Keywords: Job burnout, perceived organizational support (POS), job stress, moderating effect, preschool teachers, the COVID-19 pandemic

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230151

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1133-1146, 2024

Authors: Boets, Isabelle | Luyten, Steven | Vandenbroeck, Sofie | Godderis, Lode

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Long term sick leave (SL) is increasing in Europe, several countries have legislative initiatives to reduce long-term absenteeism. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the impact of a legally defined return-to-work (RTW) trajectory on the RTW of employees on sick leave in Belgium. METHODS: This was a retrospective register-based cohort study of employees (n  = 1416) who followed an RTW trajectory in 2017. We linked workers’ data from a prevention service with social security data. By multinomial logistic regression, we analysed which characteristics predicted the RTW with the same or another employer. RESULTS: One year after their …RTW trajectory, 69.2% of the 1416 employees did not RTW; 10.7% returned to work with the same employer and 20.1% with a new employer. Duration of SL was an important predictor for the RTW with both the same employer and another employer. The odds of RTW were lower when the SL duration was >  6 months compared to <  6 months. Marital status, organization-size, and the occupational physician decision had a significant impact on the RTW with the same employer. Age and who initiated the RTW-trajectory were important predictors on the RTW with another employer. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 30.8% of employees returned to work after their RTW trajectory. A one-size-fits-all approach is not recommended. A stepped approach with an early, informal start of the RTW process is advised. When employees or employers fail to initiate the RTW on their own, a legally defined RTW trajectory could be useful. In particular, RTW with another employer seemed a positive effect of the RTW-trajectory. Show more

Keywords: Sick leave, return to work, retrospective study, occupational health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230412

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1147-1157, 2024

Authors: Abella, Arving A. | Prasetyo, Yogi Tri | Cahigas, Maela Madel L. | Dela Cruz, Ronnie B. | Nadlifatin, Reny

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Aircraft software loading tools evolved as enhanced floppy disks and different types of portable data loaders emerged into the modern world. However, there was a lack of academic research centered on the usability of those tools. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the usability of three aircraft software loading tools: floppy disks, Teledyne PMAT, and MBS mini PDL. METHODS: A total of 20 avionics technicians answered 10 System Usability Scale (SUS) indicators and performed the software loading task. These professionals completed three sets of SUS questionnaires, one set for each software tool. RESULTS: Analysis of …Variance (ANOVA) indicated that there were statistical differences in SUS score and completion time. The comparable SUS score and completion time pertained to the following tools: floppy disks & MBS mini PDL and Teledyne PMAT & MBS mini PDL. Pearson correlation analysis noted a significant positive relationship between SUS score & software tool. Moreover, there was a significant negative relationship between SUS score & completion time and software tool & completion time. However, avionics technicians’ years of experience lacked a significant impact on SUS score and completion time. Ultimately, it was recommended to utilize MBS mini PDL. This aircraft loading tool had the most significant impact, highest SUS score, and fastest completion time. CONCLUSIONS: The researchers presented managerial implications if MBS mini PDL was utilized, including sales increase and overhead cost savings. Finally, this research was the first study that analyzed the usability of the commonly used aircraft software loading tools. Show more

Keywords: System Usability Scale (SUS), aircraft software, floppy disk, teledyne portable maintenance access terminal (PMAT), MBS mini Portable Data Loader (PDL)

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230653

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1159-1173, 2024

Authors: Jin, Haizhe | Zhou, Junnan | Zhang, Jiahao | Fu, Yongyan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The performance of healthcare workers directly impacts patient safety and treatment outcomes. This was particularly evident during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze research trends on factors influencing work performance among healthcare workers through bibliometric analysis and conduct a comparative analysis from macro and micro perspectives before and after the COVID-19 pandemic to complement the existing research. METHODS: This study involved a bibliometric analysis of 1408 articles related to work performance in the healthcare field published between 2010 and 2023, using the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases, …and 37 articles were selected to determine the factors influencing work performance. RESULTS: By conducting a bibliometric analysis of the articles based on country, institution, journal, co-cited references, and keywords, this study identified a significant growth trend regarding the factors influencing work performance in the healthcare field, and research hotspots shifted from organizational factors like standard towards psychological factors such as burnout, anxiety, and depression following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, this study extracted 10 micro-level and 9 macro-level influencing factors from the selected articles for supplementary analysis. Furthermore, this study conducted a comparative analysis of the impact of these factors on work performance before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: This study addressed the limitations of previous studies regarding incomplete extraction of factors influencing work performance and unclear comparisons of parameters before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings provide insights and guidance for improving the performance of healthcare workers. Show more

Keywords: Healthcare workers, work performance, influencing factors, COVID-19 pandemic

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230327

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1175-1194, 2024

Authors: Liu, Yao-zhong | Li, Chao-fu | Feng, Xiao-lu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Employees’ perception of being overqualified is a critical factor in influencing their knowledge sharing behavior. However previous studies have not examined the internal mechanism by which perceived overqualification affects knowledge sharing. OBJECTIVE: Drawing on social exchange theory, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between perceived overqualification and knowledge sharing and to examine the mediating effect of organizational identity and the moderating role of psychological entitlement. METHODS: Participants were 284 full-time employees from different companies in China. They answered self-report questionnaires that assessed perceived overqualification, knowledge sharing, organizational identity, and psychological …entitlement. Path analyses were conducted, and the latent moderated structural equations were used to judge the significance of the mediation and moderation. RESULTS: The results revealed that overqualified employees were less willing to share knowledge, and the mediating role of organizational identity was significant. Further, the presence of high psychological entitlement would diminish the beneficial effect of organizational identity on employee knowledge sharing. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study enrich and expand our knowledge on the relationship between overqualification and knowledge sharing and have theoretical and practical implications for promoting constructive behavior among overqualified employees. Show more

Keywords: Perceived overqualification, knowledge sharing, organizational identity, psychological entitlement, moderated mediation effects

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230722

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1195-1204, 2024

Authors: Le, Aurora B. | Yuan, Shuhan | Chow, Angela | Mullins-Jaime, Charmaine | Smith, Todd D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) personnel are first responders located at airports in the United States who provide emergency response, mitigation, evacuation, and rescue of passengers and crew of aircraft at airports. The nature of their work puts ARFF personnel in close contact with travelers on a regular basis and at elevated risk for COVID-19 exposure. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we focused on safety behavior, perceived risk, and workplace resources to understand COVID-19 outcomes in the early pandemic among the overlooked worker population of ARFF personnel. The goal of this study was to examine how …a self-reported positive COVID test were associated with safety behavior, perceived risk, and workplace resources. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey data were collected among ARFF personnel a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Regression results showed that each additional unit increase in perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 was associated with a 133% increase in the odds of testing positive for COVID-19 (OR = 2.33, p  <  0.05), and with each additional unit increase in perceived severity level, the odds of getting COVID-19 decreased by 47% (OR = 0.53, p  <  0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Infection control among first responders may be improved by providing relevant information physical and emotional resources, and support that help shape perceptions of risk and adoption of prevention behaviors. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, emergency responders, firefighters, occupational exposure, occupational health, safety, workplace

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230316

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1205-1214, 2024

Authors: Shokrolahi, Ismail | Mououdi, Mohammad Amin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Using a computer may lead to pain in wrists, neck, and back. In addition, adopting various body postures like sitting cross-legged, semi-fowler’s position, and putting the laptop on the leg may lead to the development of persistent and irreversible discomfort. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research is to design and build an adjustable ergonomic laptop desk based on the anthropometric characteristics of students in the age range of 20 to 30 years and to evaluate its efficiency using RULA and NERPA methods. METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted on 108 students, in which …an adjustable and portable ergonomic desk designed and built based on 10 anthropometric dimensions of students and the length and width of 10 different laptop models. Two assessment methods, RULA and NERPA, were used. Wilcoxon statistic test and SPSS version 26 software used for data analysis. RESULTS: The dimensions of the desk were calculated in three positions, and the desk was made with the ability to adjust height, width and tilt, each with two degrees of freedom. The statistical analysis comparing score of RULA and NERPA in two situations without using a desk and using an ergonomic laptop desk had a significant difference (P -value <  0.001). Comparison of RULA and NERPA scores showed that NERPA evaluated the low ergonomic risk level better than RULA method. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the ability to adjust the designed desk, the changes in RULA and NERPA score in all three modes, it indicates the effectiveness of the table in improving the body posture of users when using a laptop. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, laptop desk, ergonomic design, anthropometry, posture assessment method

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230528

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1215-1224, 2024

Authors: Bostanpara, Alireza | Hemmati, Zahra | Varmazyar, Sakineh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The physical condition of workers’ body structure and assigned duties, can contribute to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body structure status, type of work activity, and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the detergent industry. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 148 industrial workers selected based on inclusion criteria and their medical checkup records. Data collection for the study included a demographic information questionnaire, a body map questionnaire, and an assessment of the workers’ musculoskeletal system conducted by three physiotherapists simultaneously. …RESULTS: 54.1% of the participants had a total body structure score classified as poor or fair. The neck region showed the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (51.4%), followed by the lower back region (35.1%). Significant associations were found between abnormalities in the upper and middle limbs of the body and the prevalence of pain in the right shoulder region (Fisher/F = 9.29, P ≤0.05) as well as the intermediate back region (F  = 10.28, P ≤0.01). Office workers experienced a higher prevalence of neck pain than workers in the product line and technical roles, with a statistically significant Odds Ratio (OR) ranging between 2.7 and 6.6 times. Conversely, industrial workers who operate powered machinery showed a higher prevalence of pain in the left shoulder (OR = 3.93) and left foot (OR = 4.07). Meanwhile, workers involved in loading and unloading tasks had a higher prevalence of pain in the middle back (OR = 3.61) and right foot (OR = 4.5) compared to office workers. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pain in the right shoulder and middle back may be due to abnormalities in the upper and intermediate body structure. Production line workers reported a higher prevalence of pain in the left shoulder, middle back, and foot compared to office workers. Show more

Keywords: Body, detergent, disorder, industry, musculoskeletal, prevalence, worker

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240118

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1225-1235, 2024

Authors: de Mattos, Letícia Anselmo | Rocha, Raoni | de Castro Moura Duarte, F.J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Human error and violation of rules are perceived as deviations from some desired behavior, appearing variably in literature as either similar or opposing concepts. Behavioral deviations may be linked to accidents or considered a protective factor against them. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to explore definitions, characteristics, classifications, and management approaches for behavioral deviations, specifically human error and violation of rules. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted. RESULTS: The authors differ in defining and classifying error and violation, associating them with generation of accidents or their prevention. The management proposals for deviations highlighted …by the authors were emphasized. CONCLUSION: The findings of this article reinforce the prominence of authors Jens Rasmussen and James Reason in the field. They assert that deviations are a natural aspect of the work process and even serve as a preventive factor against accidents, although their frequent association with accidents remains common in organizations. This study contributes to theoretical understanding by systematizing prevalent perspectives on deviation, human error, and violation of rules. It proposes a taxonomy and emphasizing the need for managing deviations, rather than combating them, especially in an organizational context. Show more

Keywords: Accidents, behavioral, deviation, procedure, rules, management

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230186

Citation: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1237-1253, 2024