Job demands and resources: Flourishing and job performance in South African universities of technology settings

Abstract

We investigated the extent to which perceived job demands and resources influenced work-related flourishing and job performance among academic staff in South African universities of technology. Participants were 339 lecturers from three universities of technology (female = 53.8%; junior lecturers = 15.7%; mean age = 45 years, SD = 10 years; job tenure = 77.3% more than five years). Lecturers completed job demands, job resources, flourishing at work, and job performance measures. We utilised latent variable modelling to predict flourishing at work and job performance scores from job demands and resources scores. The results indicated job resources (specifically role clarity, advancement, and remuneration) to predict flourishing at work. Role clarity and flourishing at work predicted job performance. In line with job demands theory, the availability of resources was positively associated with flourishing at work and job performance of academic employees.

Keywords:

• advancement
• flourishing
• performance
• remuneration
• role clarity
• work overload

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the funding support received from the National Research Foundation (NRF) by means of a Thuthuka research grant.