Dissertation
Anticipated next-day job autonomy: exploring dynamics, coping strategies, and implications for employee daily task behaviors and work outcomes
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Summer 2023
DOI: 10.25820/etd.006932
Abstract
This dissertation explores the dynamic nature of job autonomy and its impact on employees' daily task behaviors and work outcomes. Drawing on the theories of job autonomy and anticipatory coping, this study investigates how employees' anticipated level of job autonomy for their next working day influences their daily task behaviors and work outcomes. Using data collected from working professionals in an organization with fully implemented flexible work arrangements over ten consecutive workdays, this study explores two specific strategic daily task behaviors (purposeful task delay and working excessively) employees engage in to optimize their well-being and daily goal progress based on their expectations for future job autonomy. Contrary to the hypothesized direct relationships, anticipated next-day job autonomy did not affect daily purposeful task delay and working excessively. Moreover, purposeful task delay negatively affected daily goal progress without positive carryover effects, whereas working excessively showed a positive relationship with daily goal progress. The proposed mediation and moderation hypotheses were not supported, highlighting the need to consider alternative mechanisms. The study also uncovers the significant interaction effect between focal-day and anticipated next-day job autonomy on daily goal progress. Supplementary analyses explore the varying effects of different dimensions of anticipated job autonomy on task behaviors and work outcomes. Overall, this dissertation contributes to the understanding of job autonomy as a dynamic situational factor, employees' anticipatory coping strategies, and the nuanced relationships between job autonomy and daily work outcomes. It offers valuable insights for organizations seeking to optimize employees' task behaviors and work outcomes in the context of the daily fluctuation of job autonomy.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Anticipated next-day job autonomy: exploring dynamics, coping strategies, and implications for employee daily task behaviors and work outcomes
- Creators
- Seung Whan Ryu
- Contributors
- Beth A Livingston (Advisor)Amy Colbert (Committee Member)Jennifer Nahrgang (Committee Member)Chad Van Iddekinge (Committee Member)Emily Campion (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Business Administration
- Date degree season
- Summer 2023
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.006932
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- x, 109 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2023 Seung Whan Ryu
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 07/25/2023
- Description illustrations
- illustrations, tables, graphs
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 94-104).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
- This research delves into the impact of job autonomy, which refers to the level of freedom and independence in carrying out jobs, on daily work behaviors, achievements, and energy levels. The study particularly explores how employees anticipate their level of job autonomy for the next working day and how this anticipation influences their behaviors and outcomes at work. To conduct this investigation, data was collected from working professionals in an organization with flexible work arrangements, allowing employees to choose their daily work schedule and location over ten consecutive workdays. Surprisingly, the study found that one’s anticipated level of job autonomy did not lead to strategic task delays or working excessively. Moreover, purposefully delaying tasks in response to daily varying levels of job autonomy didn't lead to better results at work. However, working excessively hard and long hours on some days showed positive effects on achieving daily work goals. The relationship between anticipated freedom and task behaviors turned out to be more complex than initially thought, with other factors playing a role. Overall, this study sheds light on how job autonomy impacts employees' daily work behaviors and outcomes, offering valuable insights for organizations to design jobs that enhance employees' performance and well-being.
- Academic Unit
- Tippie College of Business
- Record Identifier
- 9984454642202771
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