Chapter 10 Physiological Functioning

and Employee Health in Organizations

Zhen Zhang and Michael J. Zyphur

NUS conference: Biological Basis of Organizational Behavior

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8znMz34RYW0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8znMz34RYW0

Work and Your Biology

Work Environment·Job stress·Organizational justice·Work events·Social support

Physiological Processes ·Hormone level (e.g., cortisol)·Cardiovascular processes (e.g., blood pressure)·Immune system·Various physical symptoms

Work Outcomes·Productivity·Voluntary/involuntary absenteeism·Burn-out/ turnover·Safety/ anti-social behavior/ substance abuse

Individual Differences·Trait PA and trait NA·Power distance orientation

Organizational Interventions·Organizational support·Management training·Resilience training

Person-Environment Fit

Environment evolving faster than physiologyworking with unknowns, unequal power, job demands work hours, “work” vs. “life”, less community individualized responsibilitywe aren’t made for this!

So what should we study?job stress, justice, emotion-laden eventssocial support during and after work

Key Physiological Variables

Hormone Level (Neuro-endocrine System)cortisol, testosterone, and oxytocinstrongly influenced by environmental and

experiential factors

Cardiovascular ProcessesBlood pressureHeart rateCoronary heart disease

Key Physiological Variables

Immune System Three key immunoglobulins: IgA, IgM, and IgG

Physical Symptomspain, infections, fatigue, insomnia sleep

Antecedents of Physiological Functioning Job Stress, Job Demands, & Control Organizational Justice Work Events Coworker and Supervisor Support

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xk5RXb7X-c&NR=1

Outcomes of Physiological Functioning Increased Health Care Cost

Elevated cortisol after work explains 25% of costs

Decreased Productivity and Absenteeism Unsafe Behavior and Substance Abuse

Organizational Interventions

Change existing jobs or policies

Enhance positive moods

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNeRM9VQ_F8&NR=1

Management training

Employee training (Meditation and mindfulness)

Implications

Group-level process Measurement issues Positive organizational interventions Refocus on well-being

The point of economics: utility!Should be a focus of management science