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Study Summary: The Complexity of Heavy Work Investment (HWI): A Conceptual Integration and Review of Antecedents, Dimensions, and Outcomes

Study Summary: The Complexity of Heavy Work Investment (HWI): A Conceptual Integration and Review of Antecedents, Dimensions, and Outcomes

Category
Self-RegulationWork WeekKnowledge Work
Creator
Type
Study
Date
January 1, 2021
Resource Link
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/14/7803/pdf

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to bring conceptual clarity to the heavy work investment (HWI) construct while building a model based on a review of extant empirical and theoretical research and to encourage further discussion and investigations regarding the nature of HWI, specifically its individual level antecedents, dimensions, and outcomes for both the employee and the organization. The proposed theoretical framework builds upon the Job Demands–Resources model and conceptualizes HWI on a continuum of workaholism and work engagement. Specific propositions for the antecedents and outcomes of the HWI continuum are developed. The paper ends with a discussion of future research directions.

Highlights

In an organizational context, as job demands exceed the job resources, employees are more likely to exhibit compulsive behavior, and hence we can expect more attitudes, cognitions, and behaviors typically associated with workaholism.
In situations where scarcity of resources is readily perceived along with a multitude of demands or challenges, the HWI continuum is likely to shift toward workaholism, and the opposite tendency is more likely when resources outweigh the job demands.

Conclusion

Keywords

Workaholism

More recently, a review of multiple definitions yielded the conclusion that workaholism is a type of addiction and can be identified with its three core dimensions as affect (such as joy while working but guilt when not working), cognition (such as obsession with working), and behavior (such as working excessive hours including while at home) [24]. Hence, workaholics typically enjoy themselves while working (affect), think a lot about work while not working (cognitive), and work for long hours (behavior). Workaholics seem to allocate little time to leisure activities or to family [25].

Models

Mini Mental Model Encyclopedia

The Third Story
The Third Story

Keywords