Jonathon R. B. Halbesleben

Sources of social support and burnout: a meta-analytic test of the conservation of resources model.

The Conservation of Resources (COR) model of burnout (Hobfoll & Freedy, 1993) suggests that resources are differentially related to burnout dimensions. In this paper, I provide a meta-analysis of the social support and burnout literature, finding that social support, as a resource, did not yield different relationships across the 3 burnout dimensions (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment), challenging the COR model. However, when considering the source of the social support (work vs. nonwork) as a moderator, I found that work-related sources of social support, because of their more direct relationship to work demands, were more closely associated with exhaustion than depersonalization or personal accomplishment; the opposite pattern was found with nonwork sources of support. I discuss the implications of this finding in relation to the COR model and suggest future research directions to clarify the relationship between resources and burnout dimensions.

Emotional exhaustion and job performance: the mediating role of motivation.

The literature concerning the relationship between emotional exhaustion and performance led researchers to raise questions about the extent to which the variables are related. In 2 time-lagged samples, the authors found that motivation mediates the emotional exhaustion-job performance relationship. Moreover, the authors found that participants appear to target their investment of resources in response to emotional exhaustion to develop social support through social exchange; specifically, emotional exhaustion was associated with communion striving resources that were manifest in the form of organizational citizenship behaviors targeted at individuals. Implications of this relationship for theories of burnout and for management practice are discussed.

The construct validity of an alternative measure of burnout: Investigating the English translation of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory

Abstract While the most commonly employed burnout measure has been the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), researchers have been troubled by some of the psychometric limitations of that scale (e.g. wording of the scale items) as well as the limited conceptualization of burnout upon which it is based. As a result, Demerouti et al. have developed an alternative measure of burnout, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). The purpose of this paper is to develop evidence for the validity and reliability of an English-language translation of the OLBI. As such, this study is among the first validation studies of the OLBI, and the first to assess the characteristics of the OLBI an English-speaking sample. Using data from 2599 employees across two samples from the United States (a generalized sample of working adults and a sample of fire department employees), our preliminary multi-trait, multi-method (MTMM) and confirmatory factor analyses suggested that the OLBI may be a viable alternative to the Maslach Burnout Inventory–General Survey (MBI-GS). It demonstrates acceptable reliability (test–retest reliability and internal consistency) as well as factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity. We discuss the implications of this study for the measurement and conceptualization of burnout and suggest a variety of research directions that stem from our findings. Our findings suggest that the OLBI offers researchers an alternative measure of burnout that offers balanced wording, that can also be used to measure the opposite phenomenon (engagement), and provides an expanded conceptualization of the exhaustion component of burnout.

Action Research as a Burnout Intervention Reducing Burnout in the Federal Fire Service

Despite a rapidly growing body of work on the nature of stress and burnout in organizations, relatively little research has been conducted to develop strategies for reducing burnout. In this article, we discuss collaborative action research as a mechanism for the reduction of burnout. The authors demonstrate the efficacy of this approach in the context of a federal fire department. Findings suggest that action research has potential as a mechanism for the reduction of burnout, particularly because it is a more holistic approach that can be tailored to fit the needs of an organization.

Relationship between management philosophy and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUNDnMedical research continues to focus overwhelmingly on biomedical interventions, such as drugs, devices, and procedures. The dysfunctional health care cultures and systems need more attention for quality of care to improve further.nnnPURPOSEnThe existing health services management research has not used a systematic theoretical framework to predict the effects of organizational variables on clinical outcomes. This study tests the theoretical model proposed by N. Khatri, A. Baveja, S. Boren, and A. Mammo (2006).nnnMETHODOLOGYnThis study surveyed employees from hospitals in Missouri. The sample consisted of 77 respondents from 16 hospitals.nnnFINDINGSnThe control-based management approach (Management Control and Silos) was found to be positively associated with Culture of Blame and negatively with Learning From Mistakes. In contrast, the commitment-based approach (Fair Management Practices and Employee Participation) was negatively associated with Culture of Blame and positively with Learning From Mistakes, Camaraderie, and Motivation. Mediating variables of Learning From Mistakes and Camaraderie showed a significant negative relationship with Medical Errors. Learning From Mistakes, Camaraderie, and Motivation all showed a significant positive relationship with Quality of Patient Care. The mediating variables had much stronger relationships with Medical Errors and Quality of Patient Care than did the independent variables, lending support to the proposed mediation.nnnIMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICEnHealth care organizations can improve the quality of care and reduce medical errors significantly by enhancing learning from mistakes and boosting camaraderie and morale of their employees. They can do so by breaking down silos in their structures, implementing just and fair management practices, and involving employees in decision making.

Social comparison and burnout: The role of relative burnout and received social support

Abstract Although there has been a great deal of research concerning myriad aspects of burnout, relatively little of that work has concerned the influence of social comparison processes in the etiology of burnout. We argue that social comparisons, in the form of perceptions of burnout relative to others, can influence the development of burnout, particularly when interacting with social support. A longitudinal study was designed to investigate the role that perceptions of relative burnout play in the development of future burnout. Downward comparison led to decreased levels of burnout and upward comparison led to increased levels of burnout, after a 2-month interval. We find support for the interactive effect of relative burnout and received social support (in the form of supportive conversations with coworkers) in predicting later emotional exhaustion and cynicism. We discuss the implications of this research for burnout theory and reduction and conclude with suggested directions for the future of research on the influence of social comparison on burnout.

Understanding pluralistic ignorance in organizations: application and theory

Purpose – Pluralistic ignorance is defined as a situation in which an individual holds an opinion, but mistakenly believes that the majority of his or her peers hold the opposite opinion. The purpose of this paper is to refocus attention on pluralistic ignorance as an important, applied, and multilevel concept to organizational researchers by developing a theory of pluralistic ignorance in organizational contexts.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the literature with regard to the causes and consequences (for individuals, groups and organizations) of pluralistic ignorance and develops an integrated understanding of how pluralistic ignorance influences employees and organizations.Findings – The paper finds that pluralistic ignorance is a complex phenomenon that has important consequences for organizations with relation to behavior of individuals.Research limitations/implications – The development of a model of pluralistic ignorance, with research propositions, will assist researchers seeking t...

Patient reciprocity and physician burnout: what do patients bring to the patient-physician relationship?

Despite its criticality to the provision of health care, little is known about how the patient-physician relationship influences burnout. This article seeks to understand how patient performance (e.g. being informative about needs) during office visits is associated with perceived reciprocity in the patient-physician relationship, which is in turn associated with physician burnout. To that end, we report the results of a cross-sectional survey of 252 matched pairs of patients and their primary care physicians about a recent office visit. The findings support a social exchange model of burnout that suggests that patient stressors and patient performance predict perceived reciprocity and subsequent burnout. Interestingly, patients perceptions of their performance differed from physicians perceptions; physicians perceptions of performance fit the social exchange model better than patients perceptions of performance. The present work suggests that while they are a source of demands, patients also provide resources that are critical to the patient-physician relationship. To the extent that we can encourage these resources, we can improve perceived reciprocity and reduce burnout in physicians.

The effect of economic conditions on union membership of men and women

Purpose – In a recent review of the history of women in unions, the author suggested that downturns in the economy have had a more significant effect on women than men in unions, leading to significant declines in the membership of women in unions. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between economic cycles and womens membership in unions.Design/methodology/approach – The paper investigates that relationship using both quantitative and historical methods and generate evidence for the proposal.Findings – Based on the historical and quantitative analysis, it is concluded that a more accurate way to depict the situation is to say that economic conditions influence union membership through a number of important intervening variables and, furthermore, that changes in those intervening variables over the past 40 years have substantially influenced the relationship between economics and union membership.Originality/value – This paper is unique in its combination of historical and empirical ...

The man who won WWII: Andrew Jackson Higgins and the management of Higgins Industries

Abstract At the peak of its production, Higgins Industries was responsible for 92 percent of the ships in the United States naval fleet and was a major industrial force in the city of New Orleans. The purpose of this research note is to discuss the management practices of Higgins Industries, giving particular attention to the company founder, Andrew Jackson Higgins. Issues surrounding the leadership of Andrew Higgins, attempts to build community and manage performance of Higgins employees, and labor relations are discussed in detail. At the conclusion of the note, trends are discerned that help explain the success of Higgins Industries and the legacy of Higgins is discussed.