Design For Flow: A Work System Approach

Keywords

Design; Flow; Productivity; Well-being

Abstract

Flow is a psychological state of intense engagement in a challenging task, where the doing of the task is its own reward. Flow has been well researched in the domains of games, sports, and the arts, and some research has been published on flow at work. These studies tend to focus on a small number of antecedents of or characteristics associated with achieving flow, such as the challenge of the work or the sensation of the slow passing of time. Drawing on previous research in human factors, positive psychology, and process design, the present paper takes a novel approach in theorizing how flow can be created in the workplace: by creating a well-designed work system comprised of interacting components, such as organizational support, technological infrastructure, environmental factors, and policies, in addition to the work itself. In placing the employee at the center of such a holistic work system, we propose he/she is more likely to achieve flow than if solely the work is optimized. We also present design cautions. Benefits of such a work system designed for flow include higher productivity, better output quality, and lower voluntary turnover.

Publication Date

1-1-2018

Publication Title

IISE Annual Conference and Expo 2018

Number of Pages

2163-2168

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

85054006009 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85054006009

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