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Job demands-resources and conservation of resources theories: How do they help to explain employee well-being and future job design?

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  • Demerouti, Evangelia

Abstract

This paper examines the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory to understand and predict employee well-being and performance. COR theory suggests that individuals aim to acquire, protect, and maximize resources to reduce psychological distress and prevent burnout. JD-R theory posits that balancing job demands and resources affects employee well-being, behaviors, and performance. By exploring these theories together, the paper offers insights into supporting the workforce amid challenges like remote work and technological advancements. It highlights shared features and differences between the theories, unresolved issues, and research opportunities, such as operationalizing and testing COR theory and differentiating job demands and resources in JD-R theory. The paper concludes with predictions about future job design, emphasizing the need to balance job demands and resources to support employee well-being and performance, contributing to the literature by challenging and refining these theories.

Suggested Citation

  • Demerouti, Evangelia, 2025. "Job demands-resources and conservation of resources theories: How do they help to explain employee well-being and future job design?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:192:y:2025:i:c:s0148296325001195
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115296
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jean-Pierre Neveu & Stevan E. Hobfoll & Jonathon Halbesleben & M Westman, 2018. "Conservation of resources in the organizational context : the reality of resources and their consequences," Post-Print hal-02472360, HAL.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Sun, Hongye & Gao, Gongjing, 2025. "The impact of intelligent automation on subjective well-being and job satisfaction: A comparison between standard and nonstandard employment," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(PB).
    3. Guan Pianpian & Huang Peiling & Shen Mofei & Xia Chenxi, 2025. "Redefining Workplace Integration: Socio-Economic Synergies in Adaptive Career Ecosystems and Stress Resilience – Institutional Innovation for Empowering Newcomers Through Social Capital and Human-Centric Automation," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 19(1), pages 1-11.

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