Author Identifier (ORCID)
Arian Kunzelmann: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8864-9960
Abstract
Work design is fundamental Human Resource Management (HRM) responsibility, which is crucial for employee well-being. Current HRM research on work design largely relies on variable-centered approaches. We argue that a person-centered approach uncovers more complex interaction patterns that are often obscured and provides a more holistic view of work design. Additionally, work design research often neglects occupational specificity, focusing on universal work characteristics. While this is important for generalizability, it can miss important industry and occupational variations, such as in healthcare. In this research, we focus on both universal work characteristics (feedback, autonomy, and support) and a dominant occupation-specific work characteristic in healthcare, emotional demands. Results from Latent Profile Analysis (LPA; N = 1344, 88.7% female) revealed four profiles of work design: Active (moderate demands, high resources), Moderately Active (moderate resources, moderate demands), Moderate Strain (low resources, moderate demands), and High Strain (low resources, high demands). Healthcare workers in the Active profile reported the highest thriving, followed by the Moderately Active, Moderate Strain, and High Strain profiles. The High Strain profile showed the highest burnout, followed by the Moderate Strain profile. The Moderately Active and the Active profiles did not differ in their burnout. Workers with supportive leadership were more likely to be in the Active profile, whereas those with precarious contracts were more likely to be in the High Strain profile. This study contributes to contemporary HRM research by accounting for the complex interplay of work characteristics that are associated with different types of well-being in healthcare and provides guidance for HR practitioners about work design profiles that are most impactful for well-being.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2025
Publication Title
Human Resource Management Journal
Publisher
Wiley
School
School of Business and Law
Funders
Insurance & Care NSW
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
Kunzelmann, A., Askovic, M., Forner, V. W., Zettna, N., Jolly, A., Dey, S., Nguyen, H., Johnson, A., & Parker, S. K. (2025). Configurations of work design: A person-centered perspective of job demands and resources in the healthcare sector. Human Resource Management Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.70001