Dr. Hiroshige Matsumoto, PhD, RN, PHN, Assistant Professor in Department of Community Health Nursing / Public Health Nursing
Employees working in retail stores contribute to their local communities by supporting the daily lives of customers, including those with dementia, through their work. According to the Relational Job Design Theory, the perception that one’s work has a positive impact on customers contributes to increased job satisfaction, retention, and productivity. In this study, we used data from an evaluation of a dementia training program for convenience store employees to examine whether Relational Job Design Theory could be applied to retail store employees. The cross-sectional study showed the expected associations, indicating the possibility of applying this theory to the retail industry. In the intervention study, the intervention failed, so it was not possible to test the causal relationship. It has been thought that the contribution of retail stores to the local community, that is, supporting the daily lives of local customers with illnesses and disabilities, is something separate from store management, but it may actually have a positive impact on store management as well. If future research can demonstrate a rigorous causal relationship, it is expected that retail store managers will actively encourage their employees to contribute to the local community.
Access the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5536949