To work within a socially innovative organization as a source of job satisfaction and well-being at work? Insights from social enterprises in the elderly home care in Wallonia

The original study presented in this paper compares job satisfaction and well-being of nonprofit social enterprises (NPSE) employees taking part in social innovation (SI) vs. not taking part in SI (NSI) in 10 nonprofit SE of... [ view full abstract ]

The original study presented in this paper compares job satisfaction and well-being of nonprofit social enterprises (NPSE) employees taking part in social innovation (SI) vs. not taking part in SI (NSI) in 10 nonprofit SE of the elderly home care sector in Wallonia (1134 workers). Articulating insights from work psychology, occupational health and socio-economics, this article builds on the concepts of work motivation, SI and workplace innovation. Two conflicting hypotheses are tested: 1) Because SI conveys a clear social mission and novelty and challenge, thus strengthening both intrinsic and prosocial employees’ motivations, the fact to work in a SI increases SI employees’ job satisfaction and well-being, compared to NSI employees; 2) Social innovation alone isn’t an element strong enough. Instead, employees’ job satisfaction and well-being increase only when workplace innovation principles are implemented. Results confirm the second hypothesis. In conclusion, implications for social entrepreneurs and scholars are examined.