Master of Arts (MA)
Primary Subject Area
Business Administration, General; Sociology, Industrial and Labor Relations; Sociology, Organizational; Psychology, Industrial; Sociology, Theory and Methods
BB&T, positive work environment, q-methodology, relationships, structuration
Business | Communication | Human Resources Management | Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Organizational Behavior and Theory | Organizational Communication | Place and Environment | Work, Economy and Organizations
Naff, Alena, "Investing in Happiness: An Analysis of the Contributing Factors to the Positive Professional Work Environment" (2012). Masters Theses. Paper 223.
The professional workplace is an environment prone to both jubilation and disdain. Research indicates that employees in a more positive work environment are more productive and satisfied in their work. Understanding the contributing factors to a positive work environment is the first step to creating a more satisfying workplace for employees. These contributing factors may be material or relational and hold different levels of influence. Guided by the theory of structuration, this study employed a three-phased Q-methodology, including a Q-sort questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and a cluster analysis. Participants included the employees of the Southeastern region financial institution, BB&T. Two research questions guided the study to find the contributing factors of a positive work environment in the offices of a financial institution, and the positive contributing factors that employees prefer. Results indicated an affinity for relational contributions, with material contributions being viewed as a bonus to an already existent positive work environment. A typology of the contributor to the positive work environment was developed to include four clusters of contributors to the positive work environment.
Human Resources Management Commons, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, Organizational Communication Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Work, Economy and Organizations Commons