Well-being research in the service industries

Abstract

The scope and range of topics of well-being vary in approaches, locations, targets, study goals, units of analysis, and theoretical underpinnings, signifying that the study of well-being in the services industries is indeed multidimensional and highly complex. The main goal of this special issue was to contribute to this growing body of research by inviting scholars to submit conceptual, empirical papers, and case studies/best practices across all facets of the service industries. Thus, the special issue is intended to publish research that builds on existing well-being/QOL theory, research, and practice to suggest new ways of providing and improving services and service design.Evidence from the growing field of service research and allied fields reveals that there are ample opportunities to suggest how well-being and QOL research can be applied in different service settings. The scope of such opportunities is huge, as one can imaginethe service industries is a multifaceted sector with complex offerings and experience settings. These opportunities can be empirically investigated and translated to best practices and case studies encouraging application. This special issue is an attempt to do just that, namely, provide a vehicle to publish empirical investigations, best practices and case studies for others to emulate and replicate. For this special issue, initially we had received over 15 abstracts representing different facets of the service industries across the globe. After the initial selection, the submissions were subjected to a double-blind review, resulting in nine papers that were included in the special issue. The included articles have brought scholars, representing ten countries globally with diverse areas of expertise.

The transformative outcomes of frontline employee adaptability for service value co-creation: a study of the banking sector

“…In this respect, several prior studies on this topic have primarily focused on the impact of FLEs’ behaviors on customers' well-being (e.g. Mende and Van Doorn, 2015; Tang et al. , 2016).…”

“…The concept of well-being has attracted significant attention from service researchers over the past decade (Uysal et al. , 2020).…”

“…The concept of well-being has attracted significant attention from service researchers over the past decade (Uysal et al, 2020). In the field of marketing, metrics such as quality of life and life satisfaction have emerged as key marketing outcomes (e.g.…”

“…Hau et al, 2017;Karpen et al, 2015). However, relatively little has been done to address the impact of FLEs' co-creation behaviors on their well-being outcomes (Previte and Robertson, 2019;Uysal et al, 2020).…”

How do ethnic minority foodservice workers perceive employee well-being? An exploratory study

“…Employee well-being offers a unique perspective into understanding employees' needs, attitudes, and motivations (Baptiste, 2008;Uysal et al, 2020). Enhanced employee well-being leads to higher productivity; it can connect the employee with the organization, which is further manifested as a stronger sense of organizational commitment and a less likelihood to quit (DiPietro et al, 2019;Panaccio & Vandenberghe, 2009).…”