The Manifestation of Positive Computing in the Aged Care Workforce
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2021
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Positive computing a recently developed paradigm aspires to design and develop technologies to support wellbeing and human potential in the workplace, as opposed to the traditional technology paradigms that focus on realising benefits such as productivity and efficiency gains. A lack of evidence-based research presents a challenge to understanding the potential of positive computing in improving wellbeing in the workplace.
An industry where wellbeing of the workforce is important to the sustainability of the industry is aged care. The aged care workforce needs to become highly and digitally trained to meet the current challenges and future needs of an ageing Australian population. There is little research on the impacts of technology on the wellbeing of aged care workers and no research on positive computing in an aged care context.
This study assessed the manifestation of positive computing in the aged care workforce, guided by five research questions: 1) How does positive computing manifest in the context of aged care work? 2) To what extent does positive computing affect the work outcomes of aged care staff? 3) To what extent does positive computing affect employee wellbeing? 4) To what extent does positive computing affect the provision of aged care? 5) How can positive computing promote diffusion of innovation in aged care organisations? a multi method design composed of a qualitative research study and explanatory mixed-methods study guided the research. The 148 participants were employees at a not-for-profit aged care organisation in Western Australia.
The study found promising evidence that considering technology through a positive computing lens can contribute to the wellbeing of employees due to a perception of better organisational support, and that positive computing can have benefits for aged care organisations and their workforce. Aged care organisations that put in place a supportive, social exchange culture, with high perceived organisational support, are more likely to put in place technological practices that are commensurate with positive computing. In such settings, positive computing has the ability to improve employee wellbeing and affective commitment and, to a lesser extent, a higher quality of proactive care. Positive computing is also a way to consider innovation at the frontline in aged care and can be part of the overall mix to improve carer wellbeing and effectiveness. The research findings in this study, although promising, are limited to one aged care organisation further research is required on the efficacy and utility of positive computing.
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