Searching for quality in the Quality of work life: an Indian power sector perspective

Psychological screening, providing social security or strengthening training? How can government and labor unions protect the mental health of young employees

As the mental health problems of young employees become more and more prominent, the government and labor unions need to take measures to protect the mental health of young employees. Considering that the main mental health safeguard measures are divided into psychological screening, providing social security and strengthening training, this article constructs a differential game model under these three modes. The balanced efforts and social benefits of the government and labor unions under the three modes are obtained, and the applicable conditions of various mental health protection modes are compared. The results show that if the government pays a lower cost, the government gets the highest economic benefit under the training mode, followed by the security mode, and the government gets the lowest economic benefit under the psychological screening mode. If the reputation of the labor unions improved by its efforts is low, the equilibrium benefits of the labor unions under psychological screening and providing security are the same, and greater than the equilibrium benefits under the intensive training mode. If the labor unions have a higher reputation enhanced by its efforts, the balance return of the labor unions under the guarantee mode is the highest, followed by the balance return under the intensive training mode, and the balance return of the labor unions under the psychological screening mode is the lowest.

The mediating role of employee commitment between quality of work-life and job performance of the faculty

Purpose

This study aims to examine the mediating role of employee commitment between the quality of work-life (QWL) and job performance among the faculty of technical institutions established in the province of Punjab (India).

Design/methodology/approach

The data collected from 434 faculty members with a response rate of 72% is analyzed and the mediation effect of employee commitment between the QWL and job performance of the faculty is modeled through partial least square-structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that employee commitment partially mediates between QWL and job performance. To strengthen the result, mediation of employee commitment is also tested for each dimension of the QWL with job performance. All the factors of QWL also supported a partial mediation effect.

Practical implications

The findings of the study may help the policymakers to understand, frame and implement appropriate policies for improving the work-life quality and commitment among the faculty. This may further assist in augmenting the overall performance of the faculty amidst a crisis in the sector.

Originality/value

The study highlights the role of employee commitment as a mediator between the QWL and job performance of the faculty in the technical education sector which is one of its kind and possibly not yet explored. Besides, the study proposes some measures in improving the work-life quality and job performance of the faculty.

A green human resource management approach of participation in decision-making and behavioural outcomes – a moderated mediated model

Purpose

This study aims to assess the moderating and mediating role of supportive culture (SC) in the relationship between participation in decision-making (PDM) and job satisfaction (JS) and the dimensions of commitment, such as affective commitment (AC), normative commitment (NC) and continuance commitment (CC).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 712 employees working in different public sector undertakings (PSUs) across India. Necessary condition analysis and partial least square analysis were used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of the present study indicated that SC is partially mediating the relationship between PDM and JS; PDM and AC. However, SC did not mediate the relationship between PDM and NC; PDM and CC. PDM was positively and significantly related to SC, JS, AC, NC and CC. JS had a significant impact on AC, NC and CC. It is highly desirable for organizations to retain their employees ranging from line managers to top management levels and provide opportunities for everyone to actively use their experience and expertise.

Originality/value

The findings have implications for managers, as well as employees in PSUs, as they demonstrate how several work-related factors can be emphasized to maintain employees' commitment and motivation. Until now, India has paid scant attention to the role of SC as a mediator and moderator between PDM, JS and multiple commitments. This study cautiously collected responses from unbiased employees working in a variety of organizational functional units.

Measuring the librarians’ quality of working life in the Iranian public libraries

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the librarians’ quality of working life (QWL) in the Iranian public libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is an applied research in terms of purpose and an analytical survey in terms of data collection and analysis method. The Walton standard questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The statistical population of this research consists of librarians in the Iranian public libraries. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in order to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings showed that the dimensions of organizational social integration, constitutionalism in the organization and the capacity for human development are at a good level; the dimensions of the environment opportunity for continued growth and security and safe and healthy work are at a moderate level. Finally, the dimensions of fair and adequate payment, social relevance of work life and total life space are at a weak level are shown.

Originality/value

The findings of the confirmed hypothesis indicated that the librarians at the Iranian public libraries have a desirable (high) QWL.

EFQM model for overall excellence of Indian thermal power generating sector

Purpose

The generic nature of business excellence models and arbitrary approaches followed by organizations to achieve excellence has triggered new approaches to attain excellence; one such approach is to have country- and industry-specific model. World Energy Council has developed an Energy Trilemma Index, which gives relative energy performances of almost 125 countries based on comprehensive energy matrix (affordability, availability and environment impact). Presently, India ranks at 91 as per this index thereby making this sector prudent case for specific excellence model for sector’s overall excellence. The purpose of this paper is to propose European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model with Indian thermal power generating sector specific factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study followed a research approach that combines literature review, qualitative and quantitative techniques. This includes analysis of the literature related to the subject, qualitative analysis to validate gap areas around EFQM model and identify factors critical to Indian thermal power sector. Quantitative analysis was done using SmartPLS 3.2.7 software for structural equation modeling–partial least square.

Findings

The research proposes inclusion of Indian thermal power generating sector specific factors in EFQM model, which in turn portrays balanced set of results and corresponding enablers for achieving excellence in the sector. The biggest take away will be sustained and effective contribution toward society and environment by this sector.

Originality/value

This is first of its kind study in India and globally for thermal power generating sector. It will trigger quality consciousness among power generating companies. For India, such excellence mission will definitely help nation to improve efforts toward 24×7 electricity and electricity to all.

Modeling teachers’ quality of work life: a partial least square approach

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors affecting quality of work life (QWL) of teachers working in Higher Education Institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted by sampling 347 teaching faculty members through questionnaires.

Findings

Fair communication plays the strongest role and social networks have the weakest role in shaping the QWL in higher educational institutions (HEIs) of Pakistan. The relationship of social networks and QWL negates the Hofstede’s view of Pakistan society to a great extent.

Research limitations/implications

A cross-sectional data set is used for tapping a small sample size. The direct effects of four factors were considered for examination. The examination of indirect effects for the factors having weak effects is recommended.

Practical implications

Decision makers having intentions to improve QWL in HEIs must adopt procedural justice and effective communication channels; they should have high respect for employees and should help them to develop networks within the HEIs.

Social implications

Inter-relationships at workplace are hampering due to weak social networks.

Originality/value

The study is an important landmark in highlighting the factors that must be available for higher QWL of faculty members of public sector HEIs.

Lean Six Sigma in the power sector: frog into prince

Purpose

Lean Six Sigma is a most widely used technique in quality management. In manufacturing and service industries, this technique is used for process excellence. In the power sector, there has been hardly any study on the usage of LSS. Can LSS transform the ailing power sector organization from frog into princes? The purpose of this paper is to explore LSS impact on the power sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study approach is followed. Five cases, one each from the generation, the transmission and three from distribution companies are studied based on the rationale of theoretical sampling.

Findings

LSS is an important methodology that can be used in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity energy to drive out inefficiency and improve customer satisfaction, profits, etc. In addition, the success stories of all five cases suggest the sustainable economic benefit to the organization due to the implementation of LSS.

Research limitations/implications

This study intends to make an academic contribution to the pertinence of LSS in the power sector. The multiple case study approach is used on a theoretical sample of power utilities in India. This study will provide the theoretical contribution for LSS. In addition, this study will help the practitioner and managers to effectively implement LSS, especially in the power sector.

Practical implications

This study can be used by power sector organizations to implement LSS. A special section on implication for practice is added so that organization can make use of it while implementing LSS in the power sector.

Originality/value

Power is one of the most important infrastructures for the development of a country. In a developing country, the power sector is ailing; the application of LSS can transform the power sector by driving out inefficiency, waste and variation. It will not only prove to be a boon to utilities, but it will also help the customer and society at large. Consequently, it will help in reducing the power tariff, which in turn will make power financially accessible to all categories of consumers. In addition, the private investment in this sector will also improve, if power sectors appeal, to financiers as an efficient organization, compared to loss-making one organization, at present.

Employer–employee relations in a state-owned power sector undertaking: an analysis

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the significant predictors that have an impact on cultivating an environment of positive employer–employee relations in power sector organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were gathered by administering a structured questionnaire among 154 respondents (executives and non-executives) of a state-owned power sector of India. Exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were employed for statistical analysis of the data using SPSS (version 20).

Findings

The analysis used a total of 17 independent variables, and only three factors were extracted, namely organizational justice (OJ), employee empowerment (EE) and conflict management (CM), and established as the significant predictors of employee relation (ER). The proposed hypotheses were found to be statistically significant.

Practical implications

This scholarly endeavor provides plausible insights regarding the predictors vital for nurturing harmonious ER in power sector undertakings. It becomes highly imperative for both managers and academicians for developing strategies to cultivate a facilitative work environment to generate contented and competent workforce that can confront the challenging business world.

Originality/value

This work is a distinct manifestation of exhibiting quality relationships among the organizational entities by integrating the association of OJ, EE and CM for flourishing cordial employee relations (ERs) in the new perspective of power sector.