Positive affect as a resource and the mediating role of mindfulness on employees during times of disruption
Development and Learning in Organizations
ISSN: 1477-7282
Article publication date: 8 November 2022
Issue publication date: 18 August 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of employee state of mind through the lens of Conservation of Resources Theory, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness for employee productivity.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey consisting of previously validated instruments was administered to alumni of an MBA program, with 321 responses received from fully employed participants. The relationships among constructs were tested using partial least squares path modeling.
Findings
The effect of Work–Life Integration on Perceived Productivity in both groups of employees is fully mediated by Work Mindfulness. Interestingly, perceived Productivity of “negatively-minded” employees was driven by support and resources provided by their employers, but “positively-minded” employees did not require such support to boost their productivity.
Originality/value
Mindfulness has the potential to be beneficial in the workplace during periods of stress. Our results found that state of mind of individuals is an important construct to identify, particularly for those experiencing negative affect. For both groups, mindfulness mediated the results, suggesting actively incorporating mindfulness practices and training could be beneficial particularly for those with low levels of positive affect.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the HCBE’s Societal Impact Seed Grant Award Program which facilitated this important and relevant research in line with our ‘best for our world’ vision, as it examines key constructs affecting the well-being of employees and provides empirical data to promote leadership that is inclusive and innovative for optimum performance outcomes.
Citation
Lawrence, E., Cadet-Laborde, F., Weisfeld-Spolter, S., Yurova, Y. and Tworoger, L. (2023), "Positive affect as a resource and the mediating role of mindfulness on employees during times of disruption", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 37 No. 5, pp. 21-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-07-2022-0122
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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