The
literature review provide brief information for conducting the research. The
literature review provides deep insights about the contribution of the other
resrachers. Through literature review one can identify the research gap that
exists in the literature and through latest research that gap can be filled
with latest information. The literature review also helps the rewsrachers to
not repeat the same information which the previous literature have provided. In
this resrach study various resrach studies are evaluated to get the information
about how working hour flexibility impacts the work efficiency.
Various research article have been
reviewed to know regarding the flexible working hours and why they are
important in the organization. This secondary data will help the resrachers to
generate results which are not only going to provide new information but also
going to be reliable. This research is focusing on the public sector of Oman
and the literature will help to understand how work efficiency can be increased
through flexible working hours in the country of Oman. It is important to know
the factors which influence the work hours flexibility. In different countries
the factors are different.
The
research conducted by Ming Yin, Siddharth Suri and Mary L. Gray have provided
deep insights about the value of flexibility and its impact on the demand
crowdwork. According to the researchers the demand labor markets provide work
flexibility to the workers however the researchers say that the the workers did
not get much flexibility as it is assumed by various individuals. The researchers
indicate most of the inflexibility at work occurs when the workers have to meet
deadlines and have to finish the work as soon as possible. In the research
study the researchers have conducted the experiment for evaluating how
flexibility impacts the performance of the work (Yin, Suri, & Gray, 2018).
The
results of the study shows that the in task flexibility increase the quality
and performance of the work. The results of the study shows that the workers
who get control of the time platform their work more efficiently and the
overall performance of the organization increases. The researcher have
suggested to the businesses to provide control of time to the workers so that
the worker and businesses both can take benefit from flexibility. The research
has broad scope and can be used by the future researchers for further
investigating the impact of flexibility on the work quality & performance (Yin, Suri, & Gray, 2018).
The study conducted by Lydia
Pleotis, Howell, Kimberly D. Elsbach and Amparo C. Villablanca Have provided
detail information about the work life balance. The researchers have stated
that the work life balance is highly significant for retaining the young
employees in the organizations. In the research study the medical school
scenario is discussed in which flexibility policies are not very efficient or
effective. The study have stated that due to the face time bias the career
progress of many employees get effected negatively and the chances of turnover
increases. For conducting the study significant amount of data is gathered (Howell, Elsbach, & Villablanca, 2016).
In the research the researchers have
proposed novel compensation criteria through which the face time biased will be
mitigated and will no longer become an issue in creating the incentives or
salaries of the employees. When the specific criteria of organizational
citizenship is going to be included in the compensation plan than the
possibility exists that the culture of flexibility will immerge in the
corporation. This research study has vast scope and provided brief detail
regarding the flexibility I the medical sector. The future researchers can
utilize the study for further investigating the topic of workplace flexibility (Howell, Elsbach, & Villablanca, 2016).
The study conducted by Yvonne Lott
have discussed briefly about the working time flexibility & autonomy. The
research have been conducted in the perspective of Europe and the data is
gathered from various European institutions. In the study the gender
differences and autonomy is also included to provide a brief overview regarding
the working environment conditions. The study have focused on the working
environments of different European countries. According to the researchers the
working time flexibility have significant impact on the work quality and
overall the organizations able to achieve improvement through providing
convenience of flexibility to their employees (Lott, 2015).
The
findings of the study shows that in UK the time suitability for employees occur
when they work for fixed hours where as in Holland people consider work time
autonomy more suitable. In different European countries the work time adequacy
is different according to the preferences of the employees. It can be said that
the organizations should address the concerns of their employees before implementing
the work time schedule. The corporations can provide work time flexibility to
the employees so that they can work according to their convenience. If the
organizations are not going to provide convenience then the corporations might
face decline in their efficiency (Lott, 2015).
The
researchers Ellen Ernst Kossek and Brenda A. Lautsch have critically evaluate
the work life flexibility. The researchers have evaluated the work life
flexibility in the perspective of middle, upper & lower level jobs. The researcher
have stated that the work life flexibility provides the opportunity to the
employees to control the work they performed in the corporation. In this
research study the researchers have said that the on various job levels the
level of work flexibility is not the same which cause job inequality. It is
highly important for the organizations to provide equal opportunities on
various level of jobs so that the organization can take maximum benefit (Kossek & Lautsch, Work–Life Flexibility for
Whom? Occupational Status and Work–Life Inequality in Upper, Middle, and Lower
Level Jobs, 2017).
The
findings of the research is showing that the various level of organizations
such as upper, middle and lower level jobs does not get equal flexible working
hours. Due to this inequality exists in the job and have negative impact on the
efficiency & performance. In the study the researchers have provided implications
and suggestions for improving the job inequality. According to the researchers
it is highly important to provide flexible working environment to the employees
so that businesses can flourish effectively. This research have vast scope
because it has covered the topic extensively. Moreover the future researchers
can also take benefit from this research study.
In
the research which is conducted by K. Agha, F.T. Azmi and A. Irfan have provide
a brief overview regarding the work life balance and job satisfaction.
According to the researchers if the employees unable to manage the work life
& personal life effectively than the job satisfactions suffers. For gaining
the job satisfaction the work life balance is highly significant. The study
focuses on the higher education sector of Oman.
Significant amount of data was gathered for conducting the study. The
study focuses on how the workers experience stress and other factors due to the
lack of work life balance (Agha, Azmi, & Irfan, 2017).
The
findings of the study shows that the results which this study has provided are
similar to the results of the previous studies. For higher job satisfaction the
work life balance is important. The personal life should not cause problem for
the professional life. In the study the researchers have proposed the ways
through which the work life balance can be improved. In other words the researchers
have advised the corporations to initiate such program which increase the
awareness of the employees regarding the work life balance. The study is solely
focused on the region of Oman therefore the study does have some limitations.
However the future researchers have the opportunity to further investigate the
topic. Although this research study have limitations but the creditability and
the liability of the study cannot be questions. The study have not just
provided information to the general public but also to the organizations &
educational institutions.
The
study conducted by Hylco H. Hijp, Debby G.J. Beckers, Karina Van de Voorde,
Sabine A. E. Geurts and Michiel A. J. Kompier have discussed the effect of
working hours, work location on the job related outcomes. The researchers have
explained the new ways of workings and test whether they have any impact on the
job outcomes or not. For conducting the study Quasi experimental design
approach was utilized. The factors which are analyzed in the study include, working
hours, change control over the time, work location and various other job
related factors (Hylco H. Nijp Behavioural Science Institute, 2016).
The
findings of the study shows that the new ways of working does not have much
impact on the psychological factors of the employees such as fatigue and
stress. The findings of the study shows that the new ways of working does not
have much impact on the job related outcomes. The research have provided detail
information however limitations exist. The future research would be required to
analyze the impact of various ways of working on the organizations. The scope
of the study is still vast and can be used by the future researchers for
further enhancing the information regarding new ways of working.
The
study conducted by Brian W. Halpin have discussed the flexible employment and
mock schedules. In the study the food service firm has be taken as case study.
The industry in which the firm is working has to focus on various
uncertainties. The success of the organization depends on work flexibility and
precariousness. In the study the researcher have proposed the mock calendar
which will help the management of the corporation to control various activities
efficiently. Through mock calendar the managers can manipulate the tasks
according to the need of the organization and through this the organization can
achieve its desired goals (Halpin, 2015).
In
today’s environment it has become highly necessary to improve the relationship
with employees. With the proposed strategy of mock calendar the organization ca
save itself from various activities such as violations and wage thefts etc. It
is highly important for the corporations to control the working environment for
the organization. If the working environment of the corporation is not going to
be controlled than it means that the organization can suffer from huge
problems. The employees work efficiently when they know that the organizations
recognize their work and care for them. If the organizations are not going to
provide flexible hours than the level of motivation of the employees will
decline up to lot of extent which would definitely effect the efficacy of the
organization.
In
the study the job satisfaction is discussed in detail. newly recruited employees are the major victim of the problem. Although the same problem is observed by all employers, the major effects are the newly recruited employees. Moreover, the new
employees need more training then the older employees. As a whole, the first
actor is the newly recruited employees. For an organization, the satisfaction
of employees is very important because
skillful and fully satisfied employees are the major reason for the satisfaction of the employees. Moreover, there is thevarious reason which leads to the
dissatisfaction of the employees, and one
of them is the performance appraisal system. The performance appraisal system
ensures the proper rewards and benefits for the employees on the basis of the
past performance (Woodrow, 2014).
The
aim of the particular study is to explore the basic problem regarding the
employees such as the training and development programs. Moreover, in particular, the certain possible solutions of
the problem will also propose in the context of an enterprise. The new employees are
the committed people and join the company with a lot of expectations. If they
are not treated in a good manner, then their level of satisfaction become down and
down. For instance, if the new recruits are not given proper training then the condition of dissatisfaction rises in
the company which results in the increased turnover rate. Additionally, the
problem is still same if the unskilled employees stay in the organization because it ruins the overall reputation of
the company (Zarei, 2014).
The
comparison of the old and new system was necessary in order to observed and
identify the improvement. The old system is the poor and manual system of the
performance appraisal which doesn’t satisfy and meet the demand of the internal
customers. Moreover, the employees are the internal customers of an
organization. On the contrary, the new
conceptual model is one of the best-suggestedmodels
which includes the implementation of electronic and software-based performance appraisal system for the employees.
However, the system which is suggested through conceptual model is a little bit costly but the result oriented as
well.
The
engagement of the employees is not an easy task, the organization has to face
various challenges in order to retain and engage employees. There are several reasons for the high turnover rate and
the lack of trained employees. Firstly, the Hr. Department does not follow the proper system at the time
of recruitment. Secondly, the training and development program does not update. Moreover, that particular
weakness forces the employees to move. At last, there is no specific system for
the future development of employees
(Cummings, 2014). For that particular purpose,
theorganization needs to develop certain
policies which are beneficial for the organization and for the employee
as well.
To the extent the adaptability in the
workplace is concerned, the adaptable workplace and the worker impetuses
enables the general population to work harder and the prizes and rewards and
the motivational factor for the representative. There are particular divisions
which are intended to keep up a divine being connection amongst representatives
and staff. The specific divisions are exclusively in charge of the coordination
and keeps up a decent connection amongst manager and workers. Their essential
obligation is to determine working environment question and deals with the
sound working ecological which is valuable for representatives and association
too. (Phillips, 2016).
According
to Kossek, Thompson, and Lautsch (2015) time flexibility has several benefits
and one of the most prominent is retaining and attracting quality employees.
Time flexibility allows employees to demonstrate their actual capabilities and
just what they are really capable because time is not threatening their work.
With the demonstration of required skills, the organization is favored which
means that not only the employees but also organization is benefitted from time
flexibility. Considering the fact that not many organizations emphasize on time
flexibility as their required work practices, the organization that does focus
on it is able to not only attract the best talents but is also able to retain
them. When employees are retained, it decreases the turnover of employees.
There is a chain of advantages that an organization acquire when an
organization has a very low turnover rate. The most important one of them is high
cost savings. What makes it even more effective is that employee turnover is
low with workers who are able to perform up to their utmost.
Time
flexibility decreases absenteeism because employees often are not present
because they have some other important tasks that they have to complete. Some
other employees come late because they think that policy of time is very strict
and due to it, they have to miss other important tasks. In addition, when
workers arrive late, they are in a hurry and they consume a lot of time just to
get stable in their work. This tendency is decreased when there is a practice
of flexible time at the workplace. When workers are able to complete their
other tasks without having to worry about arriving late, work efficiency is
increased. This way, employees also consume less time to get indulged in their
work. Therefore, time flexibility contributes a lot to this whole process (Kossek, Thompson, & Lautsch, 2015).
Abid
and Barech (2017) explain that flexible time and working hours are the
advantageous accords between the employer and the employee in a reciprocal way
for enhancing work efficiency and employee productivity for organization’s
higher profitability. Considering the fact that basic necessities of the life
are seemingly changing because of the economic, political, social, and
financial constraints and individuals of all genders have tow work. Therefore,
for having a work-life balance and maintaining a healthy life of family,
flexible time is not only acceptable by female but also male workers. The
strategy of flexi-hours if adopted with a proper planning of degree and
formality will decrease the rising stress and bring a significant improvement
in employee wellbeing. Through time flexibility, it allows the employees to
schedule everything in accordance with the circumstances. It is actually a top
that is rarely utilized for increasing work efficiency, job satisfaction, and
productivity within an organization. It improves life quality while decreasing
organization’s overtime cost.
FWA
or flexible work arrangement which differ from the present work pattern to 5
from 9 from for five days has several other feasible options. This arrangement
allows the organization to gain a competitive edge because the company is able
to focus its workforce on a specific peak period of work. Overtime costs are
decreased because when work is less, there are no employees in the
organization. Arrangements of flexible work will be supporting for the personal
needs of employees. Flexible time options are offered by several businesses and
workers are rapidly recognizing flexible time arrangement as a significant
factor in taking a seat in the organization. Flexibility of time will also
involve other benefits like increased morale, employee satisfaction, and
environment where workers are happy with both their lives and their jobs (Abid & Barech, 2017).
Belwal
and Belwal (2014) explain that in Oman, women have begun serving organizational
workforce in large numbers and they are managing their family and work
simultaneously. Actually, this trend is only predicted to grow as the time
passes and more women will register in higher vocational or educational
institutes in the nation. At present, fifty-five percent of the total workforce
in Oman is comprised of women and contribute a lot in banking, media, health,
education, and other sectors of business. However, this great participation of
women poses different sets of challenges to organization. For instance, it is
significant for women to have a work-life balance because they have to not only
work but manage their families as well. Work inefficiency is strongly related
to how organizations impose rules associated with time. For instance, if women
have to get early no matter what then they might not be able to prepare
breakfast for their children and this is quite tough for them. In such a
situation, they may not be able to perform well at workplace.
That
is why time flexibility plays an important role in increasing the work
efficiency, especially when an organization has majority of women as its
workforce. When there is time flexibility, the very first effect will be on the
work-life balance. When they are able to maintain a balance in both their lives
then obviously they will be satisfied with how their organization. Employee
satisfaction is directly related with work efficiency which means that with a
rise in the happiness of workers, efficiency of work will increase. Overall,
this will favor the organization and over the course of time, it will
contribute positively to organizational success. This way, time flexibility is
not only significant for achieving organizational success but for maintaining employee
satisfaction as well (Belwal & Belwal, 2014).
Shagvaliyeva and Yazdanifard (2014) state that employers in
different companies have seemingly introduced packages of flexible time for
retaining, recruiting, and even attracting highly qualified workers in their
organizations. With the capability of scheduling the work herself or himself, a
worker feels that the employer carrs about not only the wellbeing but also the
personal life of the owrker. It leads to higher satisfaction with the employer
and job which results in higher commitment towards work. In accordance with
some other studies, flexible time results in higher satisfaction of job, better
commitment towards the organization, increase work efficiency, and employee loyalty.
In addition, retaining and attracting becomes easier with flexible time in the
organization. That is why, practices of flexible time are beneficial
for both employers and workers, and hence when flexibility is embedded in the
work, the efficiency of work increases significantly.
Flexibility
of time according to the authors is beneficial for employers and employees. In
the first place, flexibility of time was introduced in organizations for
helping workers who had children to take care of or employees who have to take
care of their siblings and family. As time flexibility gives enough time for
workers to handle all the tasks that they have, flexibility contributes to
optimization in allocation of life responsibilities and work. That is why,
workers may end up fulfilling her or his working as well roles of non-working.
Lastly, effective achievement of work efficiency within an organization depends
on time flexibility at present. Authors summarize that the utilization of
practices associated with flexible time influence employee satisfaction
positively along with work-life balance. From the perspective of an employer,
time flexibility in the organization has brought some serious benefits with it.
First of all, it has an effect on work efficiency because with time
flexibility, workers don’t take a long time to be effective with their work.
Their working skills are utilized fully when they don’t have an issue occupying
their mind. Therefore, it can also be said that practice of time-flexibility
contributes to employee wellbeing as well (Shagvaliyeva & Yazdanifard, 2014).
Lott
(2015) says that time is a significant determining element for combining life
and work. Autonomous and flexible working time can allow workers to combine the
activities and responsibility outside the work with their organizational work.
Recent studies have indicated that schedules of autonomous and flexible working
have positive impacts on the balance of work-life and negative effects on the
conflict between work-family. In addition, flexible arrangements of time in
terms of work are determined to lead to work efficiency, improve mental health,
and job satisfaction. But since working time’s flexibilization of the working
time is often driven by market and the advantage of such arrangements have also
been questioned in the previous studies.
When
there is no flexibility in terms of time in organizations, it leads to overtime
and intensification of work as well. Overloading of work is not beneficial for
an organization at all because it takes a negative toll on the satisfaction of
employee. Furthermore, the balance between life and work is also threatened by
the overload of work. When time is being managed by the manager in such a way
that workers are able to enjoy flexible time properly, there are no risks of
work intensification. Often, overload of work causes the employee to be
stressed out and it is not beneficial for his health. That is why, when
flexible time is not prevalent in an organization, employee wellbeing is also
affected negatively by it which is not beneficial for an organization (Lott, 2015).
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