CRAFTING WORK AND LIFE MEANINGFULLY: FACTORS IMPACTING EFFECTIVE JOB CRAFTING - HELPS, HINDRANCES, AND HOPES

Abstract

This research delves into the nuanced experiences of female employees working in higher education in Saudi Arabia regarding job crafting, aiming to elucidate their perspectives on job crafting, factors that aid or impede its implementation, and their aspirations for its enhancement. Employing a qualitative research approach, specifically the Enhanced Critical Incident Technique (ECIT), oral semi-structured interviews were conducted following an ECIT interview protocol. Participants were carefully selected through a screening survey to ensure they possessed relevant knowledge and experience in job crafting. A total of 15 interviews were conducted, yielding 175 incidents, which were subsequently categorized into three distinct types: factors facilitating the job crafting process (comprising 42% of identified factors), factors hindering it (29% of identified factors), and hope items (29% of identified factors). Through analysis, the study identified 11 categories aiding job crafting, 11 hindering it, and 10 areas for improvement or hope, with some overlap between these categories. The identified factors span a spectrum, including aspects such as Personal Agency, Appreciation and Empowerment, Effective Leadership, Ongoing Staff Development, Workplace Culture, Supportive Environment, Supporting Employee Well-being and Work-Life Balance, Workplace Flexibility, Transparency, Equality and Fairness in Career Advancement, and Improving Education Quality and Student Success. Understanding these nuanced factors is pivotal for human resource professionals and Organizational Development (OD) practitioners, offering insights to enhance the effective implementation of job-crafting initiatives in higher education, fostering improved employee well-being, satisfaction, and organizational success