New approach to an old concept: Quality of Working Life in Small and Medium-Sized Organizations

Abstract

Quality of working life (QWL) is an old concept in human resource strategy which has a significant impact on motivation level of employees and their productivity. As Asia-Pacific Decent work decade reaches to its end, Iran has not prepared a plan for improving working life quality. There are plenty of QWL determinants, defined by researchers worldwide, still each country should prepare specific and tailored model of QWL on its own. Iran in one hand is a multi-cultural country, with variety of ethnics and languages, which could trigger conflicts and discrimination at work. In the other hand Iran, has a traditional management style, which tries to wipe out women from job market, by putting more obstacles in their way, which again has a bad influence on country's competitiveness. These facts show the complexity of QWL concept in Iran. This research was done to shed the light to this concept by defining determinants of QWL in Small and medium sized firms (SME). We put our effort on SME(s), because they are non-governmental and more flexible and also play a vital role in developing a knowledge based economy. In Iran, 98% of non-oil products, are exported by SME(s) .Extensive search done to collect most QWL determinants from different research papers, then experts votes used to filter variables, based on their applicability in SME(s). A questionnaire was prepared based on remaining variables and ethnic discrimination, sexuality and self-esteem added as personal moderating variables. Questionnaire used among white collars in SME(s). The results analyzed by SPSS and SamrtPLS and a model proposed for QWL in SME(s). Also, the effect of ethnic discrimination, sexuality and self –esteem to the individual's perception of QWL supported.