A1 Journal article (refereed)
Ammatillinen toimijuus ja tunteet työssä (2024)
Professional agency and emotions at work

Vähäsantanen, K., Nissinen, K., Paloniemi, S., Ikävalko, H., Hökkä, P., & Tarmo, A. (2024). Ammatillinen toimijuus ja tunteet työssä. Työelämän tutkimus, 22(1), 59-99. https://doi.org/10.37455/tt.116925

JYU authors or editors

Nissinen, Kari
Paloniemi, Susanna

Publication details

All authors or editors: Vähäsantanen, Katja; Nissinen, Kari; Paloniemi, Susanna; Ikävalko, Heini; Hökkä, Päivi; Tarmo, Aleksi

Journal or series: Työelämän tutkimus

ISSN: 0788-091X

eISSN: 2670-1758

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 25/04/2024

Volume: 22

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 59-99

Publisher: Työelämän tutkimusyhdistys ry

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37455/tt.116925

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94559

Abstract

Professional agency is crucial for the learning and creativity of employees and for the development and success of organisations. To contribute to this agency discussion, we examined professional agency and emotions at work and their relationship. The data were collected via an online survey (n = 777) from an expert organisation in a technical field. In addition to descriptive statistics, we analysed the data via the analysis of variance and structural equation models. Professional agency was reported to be at a fairly high level and positive emotions were experienced more often than negative emotions. In particular, supervisory and administrative positions were found to have a significant positive impact on both agency and emotions at work. Furthermore, the results show that professional agency is strongly related to emotions at work. The results indicate the need to recognise professional agency and its supportive practices to promote positive emotions at work.

Keywords: expert organisations; working life; human agency; emotions; positivity; occupational groups; supervisors; employees; differences; well-being at work