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Key research themes
1. How can working time reduction strategies be designed and implemented to balance employment, productivity, and quality of life?
This research theme investigates the diverse economic, social, and organizational rationales and approaches for reducing working hours in order to enhance employment opportunities, maintain productivity, and improve individual well-being. It matters because balancing labor supply with sustainable economic output and life quality is critical amidst economic stagnation, unemployment, and changing societal expectations.
Key finding: This paper synthesizes economic theory and empirical evidence suggesting that moderate working time reduction policies, such as a four-day workweek, can help absorb unemployment especially short-term, improve quality of life,... Read more
Key finding: This study develops and validates a multidimensional WorkTime Scale (WTS) capturing key working time characteristics including length, timing, intensity, control, and predictability, tailored for full-time workers with... Read more
Key finding: This work applies and refines neoclassical economic theory to model the determination of working time and its regulation's impact on employment and wages. It shows complex, context-dependent relationships between mandated... Read more
Key finding: Implementing a shift system reducing work hours per shift from 8 to 6 and adding an additional shift (increasing from 3 to 4 shifts per day) in Indian industries feasibly increases employment opportunities without sacrificing... Read more
Key finding: This randomized intervention reducing weekly work hours by 25% with preserved salary significantly improved sleep quality and duration (+23 minutes), and reduced sleepiness and perceived stress among public sector employees... Read more
2. What are the environmental impacts and behavioral feedbacks associated with reductions in working time?
This theme captures investigations into the nonlinear and context-dependent relationship between working time reduction policies and environmental pressure, including carbon emissions and resource use. It is critical because assumptions that fewer work hours automatically lead to reduced environmental impacts may be oversimplified, with leisure consumption patterns and thresholds playing influential roles.
Key finding: Utilizing a panel threshold model on EU-15 countries over 40 years, the study reveals a nonlinear relationship where shortening working hours initially increases environmental pressure in some countries (e.g., France,... Read more
Key finding: Through qualitative interviews, this study finds voluntary work time reduction correlates with reduced consumption and ecological impact predominantly among couples with high cultural/social capital who adopt non-consumerist... Read more
Key finding: This longitudinal randomized trial shows that a 25% reduction in weekly work time increases time spent on domestic work and recreational activities during workdays, without significantly increasing total workload including... Read more
3. How does increased control over work schedules influence health outcomes and employee well-being?
This theme centers on the health, stress, sleep, and psychological benefits arising from employees' autonomy and control over their working hours, including timing and days off. This is significant as schedule flexibility may mitigate occupational stress and improve recovery, which are critical for sustainable work and work-life balance.
Key finding: In a large sample of daytime and shift workers, higher levels of worktime control—especially control over days off—are significantly associated with reduced incomplete recovery from fatigue, insomnia symptoms, daytime... Read more
Key finding: This study identifies occupational stress as a mediating factor between long working hours and negative outcomes in work-life balance and job satisfaction. Importantly, perceived time control moderates the impact of working... Read more
Key finding: Analysis of European Working Conditions Survey data demonstrates that working time quality—incorporating schedule predictability, regularity, autonomy, and the ability to take time off—enhances work-life balance and... Read more