Title: Is playfulness a benefit to work? Empirical evidence of professionals in Taiwan

Authors: Ping Yu, Jing-Jyi Wu, I-Heng Chen, Ying-Tzu Lin

Addresses: Graduate Institute of Adult Education, National Kaohsiung Normal University, No. 116, Heping 1st Road, Lingya, Kaohsiung 802, Taiwan. ' Department of Education, National Cheng-Chi University, No. 64, Sec.2, Zhinan Road, Wenshan, Taipei 116, Taiwan. ' Institute of Human Resource Management, National Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 70. Lienhai Road, Gushan, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan. ' Institute of Human Resource Management, National Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 70. Lienhai Road, Gushan, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan

Abstract: This paper discusses the constructs of playfulness and its relationship to work. About 1493 Taiwan professionals in four fields – art and media, education, hitech and agriculture and manufacturing – participated and responded to a self-reported questionnaire survey in this study. Results indicate that playfulness is positively related to both affective (Job Satisfaction (JS))and behavioural (Innovative Behaviour (IB) and Job Performance (JP)) work outcomes. Moreover, playfulness trait and playfulness state have differential relationships with outcome variables. Implications of these findings for personnel selection and motivation are discussed.

Keywords: playfulness; job satisfaction; innovative behaviour; job performance; innovation; Taiwan; work outcomes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2007.013503

International Journal of Technology Management, 2007 Vol.39 No.3/4, pp.412 - 429

Published online: 02 May 2007 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article