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Final Accepted Paper JOOP 2021.pdf (546.79 kB)

The work-habits intervention model: a 12-month study to change work-email habits

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posted on 2023-06-10, 00:18 authored by Emma RussellEmma Russell, Kevin A Daniels, Thomas W Jackson, Marc FullmanMarc Fullman
We present a Work-habit Intervention Model (WhIM) to explain and predict how to change work-habits to be more effective. Habit change has primarily been researched within the health domain. The WhIM contributes a unique theoretical perspective by: (i) suggesting that work-habit change requires a two-stage process of exposure to regular rationalized plans and a stated intention to use these plans; and, (ii) defining effective work-habit change in terms of improvements to both goal attainment and well-being over time. Self-regulatory resources are included as potential moderators of habit change. This approach implies that work-habits (unlike health-habits) are seldom constitutionally ‘good’ or ‘bad’, which means that change requires a clear rationale in terms of improving goal attainment and well-being. The WhIM was evaluated in a 12-month wait-list intervention study designed to improve work-email habits for workers in a UK organization (N=127 T1; N = 58 T3; N = 46 all data). Findings were that the two-stage process changed work-email habits for those with higher levels of self-efficacy, which predicted well-being in terms of reduced negative affect (via perceived goal attainment). We outline theoretical and practical implications and encourage future research to refine the WhIM across a range of other work contexts.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology

ISSN

0963-1798

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

4

Volume

94

Page range

808-835

Department affiliated with

  • Management Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2021-07-07

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-07-17

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2021-07-06

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