Title: Why is success at work important? A case study in a midsized Finnish enterprise

Authors: Satu Uusiautti; Kaarina Määttä; Eliisa Leskisenoja

Addresses: University of Lapland, PO Box 122, 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland ' University of Lapland, PO Box 122, 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland ' University of Lapland, P.O. Box 122, 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland

Abstract: This study attempted to determine how to improve efficiency, productivity, and well-being in workplaces. In this article, the phenomenon of success at work was analysed using the well-being theory called PERMA. The research questions were as follows: 1) how do the employees and leaders of a midsized Finnish enterprise describe success at work?; 2) How do these descriptions correspond with the elements of well-being? The qualitative study employed a mixed-methods approach to study the enterprise personnel's perceptions of success at work. Leaders and supervisors (N = 15) were interviewed personally. Employees (N = 29) filled out open-ended questionnaires. The contribution of the study lies in the discussion about the relationship between success and well-being. The findings will help leaders and employees themselves to enhance productivity and commitment at work in a way that pays attention to the elements of well-being as presented in the PERMA theory.

Keywords: success at work; employee engagement; well-being; positive psychology; case study; Finland; efficiency; productivity; PERMA.

DOI: 10.1504/JIBED.2016.077752

Journal for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development, 2016 Vol.9 No.3, pp.291 - 310

Received: 24 Sep 2015
Accepted: 19 Nov 2015
Published online: 14 Jul 2016 *

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