Antecedents and outcomes of work-related flow: A meta-analysis

Liu, Wei; Lu, Hairong; Li, Peikai; van der Linden, Dimitri; Bakker, A.B.

doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2023.103891

Antecedents and outcomes of work-related flow

Title

Antecedents and outcomes of work-related flow: A meta-analysis

Author

Liu, Wei (TU Delft Design Aesthetics)
Lu, Hairong (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam)
Li, Peikai (Universiteit Gent)
van der Linden, Dimitri (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam)
Bakker, A.B. (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam; University of Johannesburg)

Date

2023

Abstract

Flow is an optimal state that contributes positively to individual well-being and performance. Despite growing evidence of its antecedents and outcomes at work, few efforts have been made to systematically examine and synthesize the extant findings to advance the theoretical and empirical development of flow. Combining different perspectives (e.g., job demands and resources theory, proactivity and leadership literatures), we aim to identify the key antecedents and outcomes relevant to work-related flow, and (a) provide a nomological network and (b) spot areas for future research on flow. We conducted a meta-analysis to synthesize findings (N = 60,110, k = 113). Results showed that several factors, including job characteristics, individual characteristics, individual behaviors, and leadership characteristics were significantly related to flow. Individual behavior displayed the strongest association with flow (ρ = 0.55). In addition, flow was not only related to job outcomes but also to personal outcomes. We also investigated the relative contribution of sub-dimensions of flow to well-being and performance. The relationships between flow and its associates hold across different measures of flow and culture. Our findings suggest that employees can use more proactive strategies to foster flow rather than only respond to their environment. Despite the short-run side effects of flow (e.g., risk-taking behavior), flow is worth pursuing in the long run as it benefits both work and personal well-being. We encourage future flow studies to investigate additional social and situational factors and various types of proactive behaviors in a multilevel process.

Subject

Job demands
Job resources
Meta-analysis
Proactive behaviors
Well-being
Work-related flow

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:2a70a853-e797-485e-a3af-d972fff41336

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2023.103891

ISSN

0001-8791

Source

Journal of Vocational Behavior, 144

Part of collection

Institutional Repository