Thriving at Work and Employee Well-Being
Summary
Thriving at work is a dynamic psychological state marked by a dual sense of vitality and learning. Vitality captures an individual’s energy and aliveness at work, while learning denotes the perception of personal growth and development. Together, these dimensions foster greater work engagement, organisational commitment and overall well-being. A wealth of research frames thriving as both an outcome of supportive job resources—such as autonomy, developmental feedback and social support—and a driver of positive organisational outcomes, including creativity, performance and reduced burnout. Thriving functions within a broader wellbeing agenda by highlighting how workplaces can cultivate environments that energise employees and promote continuous personal and professional growth. Its global significance is evident across sectors from healthcare to manufacturing, where interventions that bolster thriving have led to measurable gains in productivity, retention and psychological health. Practically, managers can enhance thriving through leadership practices that strengthen job resources, calibrate demands and encourage learning opportunities, thereby securing both individual flourishing and organisational resilience.
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Thriving at Work and Employee Well-Being publication trend
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Technical terms
Thriving at Work: A positive psychological state combining vitality (energy) and learning (growth).
Job Demands-Resources Model: A framework positing that job resources (e.g. support, autonomy) foster engagement and thriving, while excessive demands can impair well-being.
Psychological Capital: A personal resource comprising hope, self-efficacy, resilience and optimism that supports thriving and performance.
References
- Thriving at work: A meta‐analysis. Journal of Organizational Behavior (2019).
- Psychological empowerment and creative performance: Mediating role of thriving and moderating role of competitive psychological climate. Journal of Business Research (2024).
- The Antecedents of Thriving at Work: A Meta-Analytic Review. Frontiers in Psychology (2021).
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