Quality of Work Life: Theoretical and Methodological Problems, and Presentation of a New Model and Measuring Instrument

Authors: Martel, Jean-Pierre; Dupuis, Gilles

Source: Social Indicators Research, Volume 77, Number 2, June 2006 , pp. 333-368(36)

Publisher: Springer

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $47.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Purpose: Ever since the concept of Quality of Work Life (QWL) was first used over 30 years ago, a range of definitions and theoretical constructs have succeeded each other with the aim of mitigating the many problems facing the concept. A historical overview of the concept of QWL is presented here. Given the lack of consensus concerning the solutions that have been developed to date, a new definition of QWL is suggested, inspired by the research on a related concept, general Quality of Life (QOL) which, as the literature shows, has faced the same conceptualization and definition problems as QWL. Based on the suggested definition of QOL, a definition of QWL is provided and the measuring instrument that results therefrom (the Quality of Working Life Systemic Inventory - QWLSI) is presented. Finally, the solutions that this model and measuring instrument provide for the above-mentioned problems are discussed.

Keywords: quality of work life; theoretical model; quality of life; systemic approach

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11205-004-5368-4

Affiliations: 1: Email: dupuis.gilles@uqam.ca

Publication date: 2006-06-01