Uncovering the link between well-being and factory performance among workers in China: a longitudinal study

Minette Bellingan; Catherine Tilley; Mukesh Kumar; Luciano Batista; Steve Evans

doi:10.1108/IJOPM-11-2022-0744

Uncovering the link between well-being and factory performance among workers in China: a longitudinal study

Minette Bellingan^*, Catherine Tilley, Mukesh Kumar, Luciano Batista, Steve Evans

^*Corresponding author for this work

Strategy, Intl Mgt & Entrepreneurship

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

18 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose: Companies are concerned about the well-being of workers in their supply chains, but conventional audits fail to uncover critical problems. Yet, if the happy worker – productive worker thesis is correct, it would benefit factories in fast-developing countries, particularly China which is key to many global supply chains, to ensure the well-being of their workers. The authors set out to better understand the relationship between well-being and performance in four Chinese factories. Design/methodology/approach: Over 12-months the authors collected digital diaries from 466 workers in four factories, and monthly data about the performance of their factories. The authors used this data to gain insights into the well-being of workers in these factories; to design experimental interventions to improve this; and to consider any effects these had on factory performance. Findings: The experiments showed that training interventions to improve workers' well-being through their work relationships and individual skills improved not just a factory's general worker well-being, but also some aspects of its performance and worker retention. Thus, it brought benefits not only for the workers but also for the factory owners and their client companies. Originality/value: While there is a significant body of research investigating the happy worker – productive worker thesis, this was not conducted in Chinese factories. The authors’ work demonstrates that in this and similar environments, workers' eudaimonic well-being is more important than might be assumed, and that in this context there is a relationship between well-being and performance which can be practically addressed.

Original language	English
Journal	International Journal of Operations and Production Management
Early online date	14 Jun 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-11-2022-0744
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 14 Jun 2023

Keywords

CSR audits
Digital diaries
Factory operational performance
Factory productivity
Supply chain factories
Worker well-being

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1108/IJOPM-11-2022-0744

Uncovering the link between_Bellingan_publishedonline14June2023_Green_AAMAccepted author manuscript, 666 KBLicence: CC BY-NC

https://research.aston.ac.uk/en/publications/uncovering-the-link-between-worker-well-being-and-factory-performLicence: CC BY-NC

Cite this

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abstract = "Purpose: Companies are concerned about the well-being of workers in their supply chains, but conventional audits fail to uncover critical problems. Yet, if the happy worker – productive worker thesis is correct, it would benefit factories in fast-developing countries, particularly China which is key to many global supply chains, to ensure the well-being of their workers. The authors set out to better understand the relationship between well-being and performance in four Chinese factories. Design/methodology/approach: Over 12-months the authors collected digital diaries from 466 workers in four factories, and monthly data about the performance of their factories. The authors used this data to gain insights into the well-being of workers in these factories; to design experimental interventions to improve this; and to consider any effects these had on factory performance. Findings: The experiments showed that training interventions to improve workers' well-being through their work relationships and individual skills improved not just a factory's general worker well-being, but also some aspects of its performance and worker retention. Thus, it brought benefits not only for the workers but also for the factory owners and their client companies. Originality/value: While there is a significant body of research investigating the happy worker – productive worker thesis, this was not conducted in Chinese factories. The authors{\textquoteright} work demonstrates that in this and similar environments, workers' eudaimonic well-being is more important than might be assumed, and that in this context there is a relationship between well-being and performance which can be practically addressed.",

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