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Does flexible work make R&D employees happier?

Author

Listed:
  • Marit Rebane
  • Heili Hein
  • Aaro Hazak

Abstract

Striving for happiness is a universal human goal, and increased happiness is regarded as a key objective in modern scientific literature on socio-economic development. Yet, the connection between happiness and the organisation of work has not received much scrutiny. In our study on Estonian creative R&D employees, we explore the effects of flexible work schedules, the option of teleworking, and other aspects of work arrangements on employee happiness. We uncover that the option to work out of the office substantially increases happiness, and this effect is further augmented by flexible working time arrangements. We also consider the inner circadian cycles of employees and find that evening type individuals (“owls†) feel significantly less joy from their daily lives than their morning type colleagues (“larks†). This is potentially due to genetic factors, but could also be partially caused by a mismatch between the innate time preferences among owls and social as well as employer expectations. Overall, the results of our study suggest that flexible working arrangements could significantly increase the happiness and well-being of creative R&D employees.

Suggested Citation

  • Marit Rebane & Heili Hein & Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Does flexible work make R&D employees happier?," TUT Economic Research Series 23, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    • Handle: RePEc:ttu:tuteco:23
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marit Rebane & Aaro Hazak & Kadri Männasoo, 2017. "Women need flexible work, but men get it – issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 30, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    2. Heili Hein & Aaro Hazak & Kadri Männasoo, 2017. "Who has a better chance of getting higher salaries among creative R&D employees?," TUT Economic Research Series 39, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    3. Raul Ruubel & Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Does anyone want to work 5 days per week and 8 hours per day? Issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 31, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    4. Marko Virkebau & Aaro Hazak & Kadri Männasoo, 2017. "Using flexitime – for better work or a better life? Issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 27, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    5. José Augusto-Landa & Manuel Pulido-Martos & Esther Lopez-Zafra, 2011. "Does Perceived Emotional Intelligence and Optimism/pessimism Predict Psychological Well-being?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 463-474, June.
    6. Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Better not to ask your employees to come to work? Issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 32, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    7. Kadri Männasoo & Heili Hein, 2017. "Are R&D companies credit-constrained? Credit frictions during and post-crisis," TUT Economic Research Series 29, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    8. Heili Hein & Kadri Männasoo, 2017. "Are business obstacles different for R&D companies?," TUT Economic Research Series 33, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    9. Kadri Männasoo & Heili Hein, 2017. "Learning from abroad: Export versus foreign ownership," TUT Economic Research Series 36, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    10. Marko Virkebau & Aaro Hazak & Kadri Männasoo, 2017. "More flexibility, better results? Issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 24, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    11. Viive Pille & Viiu Tuulik & Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Sitting at a desk at work makes creative employees tired," TUT Economic Research Series 34, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    12. Erve Sõõru & Aaro Hazak & Marit Rebane, 2017. "Long working days and falling asleep at work – issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 38, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    13. Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Fixed-term contracts – a turnoff for R&D employees," TUT Economic Research Series 35, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    14. Kadri Männasoo & Heili Hein, 2017. "Capital investments and financing structure: Are R&D companies different?," TUT Economic Research Series 26, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    15. Erve Sõõru & Heili Hein & Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Why force owls to start work early? The work schedules of R&D employees and sleep," TUT Economic Research Series 25, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kadri Männasoo & Heili Hein, 2017. "Are R&D companies credit-constrained? Credit frictions during and post-crisis," TUT Economic Research Series 29, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    2. Viive Pille & Viiu Tuulik & Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Sitting at a desk at work makes creative employees tired," TUT Economic Research Series 34, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    3. Kadri Männasoo & Heili Hein, 2017. "Capital investments and financing structure: Are R&D companies different?," TUT Economic Research Series 26, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    4. Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Non-creative tasks: a turn off for creative R&D employees," TUT Economic Research Series 28, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    5. Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Better not to ask your employees to come to work? Issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 32, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    6. Raul Ruubel & Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Does anyone want to work 5 days per week and 8 hours per day? Issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 31, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    7. Erve Sõõru & Heili Hein & Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Why force owls to start work early? The work schedules of R&D employees and sleep," TUT Economic Research Series 25, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    8. Erve Sõõru & Aaro Hazak & Marit Rebane, 2017. "Long working days and falling asleep at work – issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 38, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    9. Aaro Hazak, 2017. "Fixed-term contracts – a turnoff for R&D employees," TUT Economic Research Series 35, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    10. Kadri Männasoo & Heili Hein, 2017. "Learning from abroad: Export versus foreign ownership," TUT Economic Research Series 36, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    11. Marko Virkebau & Aaro Hazak & Kadri Männasoo, 2017. "Using flexitime – for better work or a better life? Issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 27, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    12. Heili Hein & Kadri Männasoo, 2017. "Are business obstacles different for R&D companies?," TUT Economic Research Series 33, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    13. Marko Virkebau & Aaro Hazak & Kadri Männasoo, 2017. "More flexibility, better results? Issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 24, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    14. Marit Rebane & Aaro Hazak & Kadri Männasoo, 2017. "Women need flexible work, but men get it – issues in R&D work efficiency," TUT Economic Research Series 30, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.
    15. Heili Hein & Aaro Hazak & Kadri Männasoo, 2017. "Who has a better chance of getting higher salaries among creative R&D employees?," TUT Economic Research Series 39, Department of Finance and Economics, Tallinn University of Technology.

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