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Work autonomy, work pressure, and job satisfaction: An analysis of European Union countries

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  • Helena Lopes
  • Sérgio Lagoa
  • Teresa Calapez

Abstract

Based on European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) micro-data, we show that, on average, work autonomy has declined and work pressure has increased in most European Union countries since 1995. Since such evolution is substantially detrimental for workers, we examine whether workers of varied skill levels in different countries have been equally impacted. Descriptive analysis shows that low-skill clerical workers are the most affected and that Scandinavian countries fare better. Econometric results show that the decline in job satisfaction is due mainly to the increase in work pressure—which might be reaching a limit for high-skill workers—and that job satisfaction is most affected by an increase in work pressure when this is not accompanied by greater work autonomy.

Suggested Citation

  • Helena Lopes & Sérgio Lagoa & Teresa Calapez, 2014. "Work autonomy, work pressure, and job satisfaction: An analysis of European Union countries," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 25(2), pages 306-326, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecolab:v:25:y:2014:i:2:p:306-326
    DOI: 10.1177/1035304614533868
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Fulvio Castellacci & Clara Viñas-Bardolet, 2017. "Internet use and job satisfaction," Working Papers on Innovation Studies 20170126, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.
    2. Zhuofei Lu & Wei Zhuang, 2023. "Can Teleworking Improve Workers’ Job Satisfaction? Exploring the Roles of Gender and Emotional Well-Being," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(3), pages 1433-1452, June.
    3. Alina-Mihaela Dima & Claudia-Elena Țuclea & Diana-Maria Vrânceanu & Gabriela Țigu, 2019. "Sustainable Social and Individual Implications of Telework: A New Insight into the Romanian Labor Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-12, June.
    4. Jenny Chesters & Hernan Cuervo, 2019. "Adjusting to new employment landscapes: Consequences of precarious employment for young Australians," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 30(2), pages 222-240, June.
    5. Dan Zhou & Sibo Yang & Xue Li, 2022. "Internet Use and Job Satisfaction: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, September.
    6. Helena Lopes & Sérgio Lagoa & Ana C Santos, 2019. "Work conditions and financial difficulties in post-crisis Europe: Utility versus quality of working life," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 30(1), pages 39-58, March.
    7. Argyro Avgoustaki & Hans T. W. Frankort, 2023. "All work intensity is not created equal: Effort motives, job satisfaction and quit intentions at a grocery chain," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 61(4), pages 869-894, December.
    8. Nicole Maestas & Kathleen J. Mullen & David Powell & Till von Wachter & Jeffrey B. Wenger, 2023. "The Value of Working Conditions in the United States and the Implications for the Structure of Wages," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 113(7), pages 2007-2047, July.
    9. Stéfanie André & Roos van der Zwan, 2023. "The influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on changes in perceived work pressure for Dutch mothers and fathers," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 1015-1034, May.
    10. Thomas Bolli & Filippo Pusterla, 2022. "Decomposing the effects of digitalization on workers’ job satisfaction," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 69(2), pages 263-300, June.
    11. Conen, Wieteke, 2020. "Multiple jobholding in Europe: Structure and dynamics," WSI Studies 20, The Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI), Hans Böckler Foundation.
    12. Małgorzata Okręglicka & Prabhat Mittal & Valentinas Navickas, 2023. "Exploring the Mechanisms Linking Perceived Organizational Support, Autonomy, Risk Taking, Competitive Aggressiveness and Corporate Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Innovativeness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-23, March.
    13. Bran, Florina & Tudorache, Maria-Daniela & Nicolescu, Andreea Florentina & Bodislav, Dumitru Alexandru & Oancea Negescu, Mihaela Diana & Popescu, Maria Loredana, 2022. "A New Teleworking Growth Model," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 56(1), pages 125-139.
    14. Noël Bonneuil & Younga Kim, 2017. "Precarious employment among South Korean women: Is inequality changing with time?," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 28(1), pages 20-40, March.
    15. Reza Esmaeilifar & Mohammad Iranmanesh & Mohd Wira Mohd Shafiei & Sunghyup Sean Hyun, 2020. "Effects of low carbon waste practices on job satisfaction of site managers through job stress," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 115-136, February.
    16. Juan A. Marin-Garcia & Tomas Bonavia & Josep-Maria Losilla, 2020. "Changes in the Association between European Workers’ Employment Conditions and Employee Well-Being in 2005, 2010 and 2015," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-22, February.
    17. Argyro Avgoustaki & Hans T. W. Frankort, 2019. "Implications of Work Effort and Discretion for Employee Well-Being and Career-Related Outcomes: An Integrative Assessment," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 72(3), pages 636-661, May.
    18. Stefano Dughera, 2020. "Skills, preferences and rights: evolutionary complementarities in labor organization," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(3), pages 843-866, July.
    19. Clara Viñas-Bardolet & Monica Guillen-Royo & Joan Torrent-Sellens, 2018. "Job characteristics and life satisfaction in Europe: A domains-of-life approach," Working Papers on Innovation Studies 20180412, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.
    20. Markus Nagler & Johannes Rincke & Erwin Winkler, 2022. "High-Pressure, High-Paying Jobs?," CESifo Working Paper Series 10102, CESifo.
    21. Alexander Matros & Vladimir Smirnov & Andrew Wait & Helen Zhang, 2023. "Microfoundations of work intensification and burnout," Working Papers 2023-02, University of Sydney, School of Economics.
    22. Clara Viñas-Bardolet & Monica Guillen-Royo & Joan Torrent-Sellens, 2020. "Job Characteristics and Life Satisfaction in the EU: a Domains-of-Life Approach," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(4), pages 1069-1098, September.
    23. Corinna E Löckenhoff & Johanna Drewelies & Sandra Duezel & Elisabeth Steinhagen-Thiessen & Ilja Demuth & Alexandra M Freund & Ursula M Staudinger & Ulman Lindenberger & Gert G Wagner & Nilam Ram & Den, 2022. "Sociohistorical Change in Urban Older Adults’ Perceived Speed of Time and Time Pressure," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 77(3), pages 457-466.
    24. Victor Wong & Tat Chor Au-Yeung, 2019. "Autonomous precarity or precarious autonomy? Dilemmas of young workers in Hong Kong," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 30(2), pages 241-261, June.
    25. Wieteke Conen & Paul de Beer, 2021. "When two (or more) do not equal one: an analysis of the changing nature of multiple and single jobholding in Europe," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 27(2), pages 165-180, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    European comparisons; job satisfaction; work autonomy; work pressure;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure

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