Academic employees’ understandings of workplace well-being in Ghana: an interpretive phenomenological analysis

Ofori, Dudley Wisdom

Abstract

Aim
This study aimed to use eudaimonic theory to investigate how academic employees in Ghana understand workplace well-being, what well-being means to them and what changes have taken place over time.
Method
The well-being experience, views and stories of academic employees from three public universities in Ghana were investigated using semi-structured interviews together with an interview guide involving eighteen academics. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, and the data were analysed using the Interpretative Phenomenology Approach (IPA).
Results
The results suggest that academic employees understood workplace well-being from both the negative and positive perspectives of the eudaimonic theory. The sociocultural aspect of well-being together with several workplace well-being components were highlighted in the academics’ stories with commonly used phrases such as society expects us to behave in a certain way, our culture frowns on complaints at work and we are brought up not to challenge our leaders. The results further suggest that depending on the context of work, meeting work targets, delays in promotion, inadequate resources, student progress, identities and research collaboration with colleagues can act as both negative and positive assets for well-being.
Conclusion
This study indicates that the socio-cultural facet of well-being is dominant in the experience of academics and that it is important not only for a mindset change but also for a complete understanding of workplace well-being issues. Additionally, any plans to introduce workplace well-being programs and policies at the workplace in Ghana should be aligned with employees’ mindset changes (cultural beliefs), the work environment and the employees themselves. The results have placed the problem in a developing country context and are grounded in the experiences of academic employees, supported by the eudaimonic theory and reflect other contextual factors, including cultural beliefs and structural needs.

Citation

Ofori, D. W. (2020). Academic employees’ understandings of workplace well-being in Ghana: an interpretive phenomenological analysis. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223382

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Sep 10, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Health studies
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223382
• Additional Information: Department of Psychological Health, Wellbeing and Social Work, The University of Hull