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The Effects of Employee Involvement and Participation on Subjective Wellbeing: Evidence from Urban China

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  • Zhiming Cheng

Abstract

Based on a unique dataset from the Chinese General Social Survey, this paper provides empirical evidence on the relationship between employee involvement and participation (EIP) and subjective wellbeing in transitional China. The econometric analysis shows that, while controlling for personal characteristics, some EIP elements are significantly associated with employees’ self-perceived satisfaction with work, life, protection of rights and benefits, and the state sector reform. These EIP elements include: participative and consultative management; freedom of expression and effective discussion between employees and their supervisors; and better understanding of, and participation in, workplace reforms. However, some employees who are willing to participate in higher-level decision making might have been unable to find adequate institutional channels to materialise their ambitions. Therefore, potential exists to further develop EIP as a more effective means to improve urban Chinese employees’ wellbeing and their workplace conditions. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

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  • Zhiming Cheng, 2014. "The Effects of Employee Involvement and Participation on Subjective Wellbeing: Evidence from Urban China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 118(2), pages 457-483, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:118:y:2014:i:2:p:457-483
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-013-0430-8
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jidong Yang & Kai Liu & Yiran Zhang, 2019. "Happiness Inequality in China," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(8), pages 2747-2771, December.
    3. Yang, Jidong & Liu, Kai & Zhang, Yiran, 2015. "Happiness Inequality in China," MPRA Paper 66623, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Kritkorn Nawakitphaitoon & Can Tang, 2021. "Nonstandard Employment and Job Satisfaction across Time in China: Evidence from the Chinese General Social Survey (2006–2012)," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 35(3), pages 411-431, June.
    5. Jie Li & Wangshuai Wang & Gong Sun & Zhou Jiang & Zhiming Cheng, 2018. "Supervisor–Subordinate Guanxi and Job Satisfaction Among Migrant Workers in China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 139(1), pages 293-307, August.
    6. Cheng, Zhiming & King, Stephen P. & Smyth, Russell & Wang, Haining, 2016. "Housing property rights and subjective wellbeing in urban China," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 45(S), pages 160-174.
    7. Tianzhen Hu & Li Li & Chuanxue Lin & Zikun Yang & Cheng Chow & Zhipeng Lu & Chen You, 2022. "An Analysis of the Willingness to the COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots among Urban Employees: Evidence from a Megacity H in Eastern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-14, February.
    8. David G. Blanchflower & Carol L. Graham, 2022. "The Mid-Life Dip in Well-Being: a Critique," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 287-344, May.

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