Personal Energy at Work: A Systematic Review

Abstract

There has been a significant increase in studies on personal energy at work. Yet, research efforts are fragmented, given that scholars employ a diversity of related concepts. To bring clarity, we executed a two-fold systematic literature review. We crafted a definition of personal energy at work and a theoretical framework, outlining the dimensions, antecedents and boundary conditions. The theoretical implication of the framework is that it allows one to explain why—given similar work—some employees feel energized whereas others do not. The difference depends on the context that the employer offers, the personal characteristics of employees and the processes of strain and recovery. The paper concludes with a discussion of how future research can build on the proposed framework to advance the theoretical depth and empirical investigation of personal energy at work.

Human Energy Management in Industry: A Systematic Review of Organizational Strategies to Reinforce Workforce Energy

“…Scholars sometimes use adjectives to suggest diverse energy types linked to the specific activities people undertake, such as mental, spiritual, and social energy. For instance, according to Schippers et al [5], human energy has three main forms: emotional energy, referring to being in touch with one's emotions and fundamental values; mental energy, relating to the capacity for deep concentration; and physical energy, which includes strength, endurance, and flexibility [30]. While this approach might be suitable for casual communication, it lacks precision and poses challenges for seamless integration within scholarly contexts.…”

“…Within the literature on occupational strain and recovery, a commonly recurring theme is the metaphorical concept of individuals requiring to "recharge their batteries" [2,21], following the depletion of energy during work or when confronted with stressful circumstances [23]. Klijn et al [30] concluded that contextual and personal factors, including supervisors, the work environment, competence, behavior, psychological state, and personality influence employees' energized experiences. Strain processes also contribute to shaping these experiences and recovery [30].…”

Recuperación de energía del trabajador: un enfoque psicológico

“…En la Fig. 1 se presenta un modelo elaborado a partir de Klijn et al (2021) el cual tiene como parte central las estrategias de recuperación -en el trabajo y fuera de este-así como los principales factores de influencia, a nivel personal y contextual. A continuación, se presentan con más detalle dichas estrategias.…”

“…Fuente: Elaborado a partir de Klijn et al, 2021 distanciamiento psicológico del trabajo con los siguientes ítems:…”

“…Recientemente en el ámbito psicológico y ciencias administrativas, se está otorgando importancia a esta segunda perspectiva al favorecer una orientación práctica (Taylor, 2018) y fomentar una visión holística -mente, cuerpo, afecto, y espíritu- (Pluta & Rudawska, 2016;Peters, 2019) a diferencia de otras aproximaciones y teorías que han estado vigentes por mucho tiempo. Esta nueva orientación tiene presencia con aportes como la revisión bibliográfica realizada por Klijn et al (2021) sobre "Personal Energy at Work" o la recomendación de Schwartz (2007): "Manage your energy, not your time". Un destacado antecedente constituye el "Model of Human Energy in Organizations" propuesto por Quinn et al (2012).…”