Expanding the Conceptual Boundaries of Work Effort: Critical Insights into What Makes People Work Hard

249 Pages·2019·4.285 MB·English

by  Timur Erim

Schriften zur Unternehmensentwicklung
Editor
Max J. Ringlstetter
Timur Erim
Expanding the Conceptual
Boundaries of Work Effort
Critical Insights into What
Makes People Work Hard
Schriften zur
Unternehmensentwicklung
Reihe herausgegeben von
Max J. Ringlstetter, Ingolstadt, Deutschland
In dieser Schriftenreihe werden aktuelle Forschungsergebnisse im Bereich der
Unternehmensentwicklung präsentiert. Die einzelnen Beiträge orientieren sich an
Problemen der Führungs- bzw. Managementpraxis. Im Mittelpunkt stehen dabei
die Themenfelder Strategie, Organisation und Humanressourcen-Management.
Reihe herausgegeben von
Prof. Dr. Max J. Ringlstetter
Kathol. Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
Weitere Bände in der Reihe http://www.springer.com/series/12214
Timur Erim
Expanding the Conceptual
Boundaries of Work Effort
Critical Insights into What
Makes People Work Hard
Timur Erim
Düsseldorf, Germany
Dissertation WFI – Ingolstadt School of Management, 2018
Schriften zur Unternehmensentwicklung
ISBN 978-3-658-23315-0 ISBN 978-3-658-23316-7 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-23316-7
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018952661
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Preface
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them
looking backwards.“
(Steve Jobs, co-founder and longtime CEO of Apple Inc., For-
tune magazine’s CEO of the decade (2009), Stanford Com-
mencement Speech, 2005)
This memorable quote by one of the most inspiring leaders the world has ever seen is
profound and true together. Similar to motivation theories that are frequently classified
into process theories and content theories, it can be transferred to both the process of
writing this thesis and to its content. With regard to the process, the time at the chair
was characterized by diverse and multifaceted tasks and projects and, sometimes, I
wondered how the different mosaic pieces would finally compose the overall picture.
Likewise, I found writing a theoretical piece of work challenging, because it took
some time until a complete and coherent outcome emerged from the different content-
related components and in the middle of the process, the outcome was anything but
crystal clear. Thus, patience, self-discipline, and perseverance were the key to success.
Looking backwards, it is of great importance for me to express my thanks to a couple
of people who supported me in writing this doctoral dissertation and, thus, contributed
to its successful completion.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Dr. Max J.
Ringlstetter who gave me the opportunity to write this dissertation. He managed to
leave me enough freedom to develop my own thoughts while, at the same time, giving
me important input and guidance at crucial points indispensable to compile this thesis.
I did learn a lot from him in terms of leadership and management, insights that I will
keep in mind during my future career and life. I would also like to thank Professor Dr.
Harald Pechlaner for his agreement to be the second examiner and for his engagement
and valuable suggestions during our doctoral seminars.
Furthermore, I want to thank my colleagues and the entire team of the chair for their
cooperative and friendly attitude that characterized our working atmosphere and col-
VI Preface
laboration. Against this background, I would like to thank Dr. Björn Schäfer who was
–whether or not he liked it – the supporting and reliable reference person with respect
to any chair-related issues whatsoever. I am thankful to Walburga Mosburger whose
constant support in all complex administrative matters extremely simplified my life.
On top of that, her maternally caring and friendly way significantly shaped the work-
ing atmosphere I mentioned above and made working at the LSR enjoyable. I also
want to thank Dr. Laura Schneider for the inspiring and encouraging discussions dur-
ing our leave of absence and afterwards. Additionally, I would like to thank Antonia
Mai, remembering the time together in our “talent office”, for the mutual support, in-
spiring collaboration, and one or two fits of laughter. Finally, I want to thank Nepomuk
Kessler for his reliable support during our joint project work.
Moreover, I would like to give thanks to Dr. Allan Ramdhony for his constant and kind
support throughout the years since we got to know each other at Edinburgh Napier
University, his competent advice and excellent overall mentoring.
I would also like to thank Dr. Johannes Wollenburg for his reliable mental support,
countless trustful conversations, and optimism, but also for challenging my
assumptions and ways of doing things from time to time.
Finally and most importantly, I am particularly grateful to my parents for their mental
support and precious advice during all my years of study. Without their dedicated en-
gagement and unconditional support from every point of view, succeeding would have
been simply impossible. That is why this dissertation is dedicated to them.
Ingolstadt, June 2018 Dr. Timur Erim
Table of Contents
Preface ............................................................................................................................V
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................... VII
List of Figures and Tables ............................................................................................. XI
List of Abbreviations.................................................................................................. XIII
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Overview of Research Context ...................................................................... 2
1.2 Research Question and Methodology.......................................................... 11
1.3 Contribution of Study and Research Impact ............................................... 19
1.4 Structure of Study ........................................................................................ 20
Part I: The Concept of Work Effort: Current Status of Research and Knowledge
Development ................................................................................................................ 23
2 The Meaning of Work Effort ........................................................................ 25
2.1 Key Definitions and Conceptions ................................................................ 26
2.2 Associated Challenges and Dilemmas ........................................................ 32
2.2.1 A Nexus of Related yet Distinctive Concepts ....................................... 32
2.2.2 Measurement Attempts and Methodological Challenges ..................... 38
3 Antecedents of Work Effort .......................................................................... 45
3.1 Non-Financial Workplace Attributes ........................................................... 46
3.1.1 Job Characteristics ................................................................................ 46
3.1.1.1 Theories Underpinning the Job Characteristics Notion and Models
of Job Characteristics ....................................................................... 47
3.1.1.2 Empirical Findings Relating Job Characteristics to Work Effort ..... 60
3.1.1.3 Summary of Key Insights ................................................................. 67
3.1.2 Social-Interpersonal Aspects................................................................. 68
VIII Table of Contents
3.1.2.1 Theories Underpinning the Social-Interpersonal Impact ................. 69
3.1.2.2 Empirical Findings Relating the Social-Interpersonal Aspects
to Work Effort ................................................................................... 80
3.1.2.3 Summary of Key Insights ................................................................. 87
3.1.3 Organizational Attributes ...................................................................... 89
3.1.3.1 Theories Underpinning Organizational Attributes ........................... 90
3.1.3.2 Empirical Findings Relating Organizational Attributes to
Work Effort ....................................................................................... 92
3.1.3.3 Summary of Key Insights ................................................................. 96
3.2 Individual Characteristics ............................................................................ 97
3.2.1 Individual Attitudes ............................................................................... 98
3.2.1.1 Individual Attitudes in Theory .......................................................... 98
3.2.1.2 Empirical Findings Relating Individual Attitudes to Work Effort...101
3.2.1.3 Summary of Key Insights ............................................................... 103
3.2.2 Individual Emotions ............................................................................ 104
3.2.2.1 Individual Emotions in Theory ....................................................... 105
3.2.2.2 Empirical Findings Relating Individual Emotions to Work Effort.107
3.2.2.3 Summary of Key Insights ............................................................... 109
3.2.3 Demographic Characteristics .............................................................. 109
3.2.3.1 Empirical Findings Relating Demographic Characteristics
to Work Effort ................................................................................. 110
3.2.3.2 Summary of Key Insights ............................................................... 113
4 Consequences of Work Effort ..................................................................... 115
4.1 Positive Outcomes ..................................................................................... 115
4.1.1 Positive Attitudinal Outcome: Job Satisfaction .................................. 115
4.1.1.1 Theories Underpinning the Job Satisfaction Notion ...................... 116
4.1.1.2 Empirical Findings on the Work Effort – Job Satisfaction
Relationship .................................................................................... 127
Table of Contents IX
4.1.1.3 Summary of Key Insights ............................................................... 129
4.1.2 Positive Behavioral Outcome: Job Performance ................................ 130
4.1.2.1 Theories Underpinning the Job Performance Notion ..................... 131
4.1.2.2 Empirical Findings on the Work Effort – Job Performance
Relationship .................................................................................... 137
4.1.2.3 Summary of Key Insights ............................................................... 142
4.1.3 Positive Emotional Outcomes ............................................................. 144
4.2 Negative Outcomes: Individual Well-Being ............................................. 145
4.2.1 Theories Underpinning the Negative Outcomes ................................. 146
4.2.2 Empirical Findings Relating Excessive Work Effort to Negative
Outcomes ............................................................................................. 150
4.2.3 Summary of Key Insights ................................................................... 154
5 Synthesizing the Current Status of Knowledge on Work Effort ............. 155
5.1 Conceptual Framework: Highlighting Key Themes and
Theoretical Issues ...................................................................................... 155
5.2 A Springboard for Further Development................................................... 159
Part II: Expanding the Conceptual Boundaries of Work Effort .......................... 161
6 Fresh Insights from Alternative Psychological Disciplines ...................... 163
6.1 Extreme Sports Psychology ....................................................................... 163
6.1.1 The Notion of Edgework .................................................................... 164
6.1.2 Motivations for Performing Edgework Using the Example of
Extreme Sports .................................................................................... 170
6.1.3 Implications for Work Effort ............................................................... 176
6.1.4 Summary of Key Insights ................................................................... 180
6.2 Survival Psychology .................................................................................. 182
6.2.1 Critical Survivor Characteristics ......................................................... 183
6.2.2 Implications for Work Effort ............................................................... 185
6.2.3 Summary of Key Insights ................................................................... 187