Unveiling the Different Shades of Well-being to Improve Managerial Decision-making

Authors

  • Maria Vincenza Ciasullo University of Salerno
  • Silvia Cosimato University of Naples, Federico II
  • Miriana Ferrara University of Salerno, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7433/s127.2025.07

Keywords:

workplace well-being; managerial decision-making; Cisco managers; Indeed platform

Abstract

Frame of the research. Well-being is a concept that has attracted scholars’ interest for centuries. In the last decades, workplace well-being has gained academic research attention. Nevertheless, a holistic approach to how workplace well-being is related to the decision-making process is currently missing. A conceptualization of well-being influencing the decision-making process is therefore provided.

Purpose of the paper. The study aims to investigate well-being from managers’ perspective, highlighting the factors that shape workplace well-being, thereby affecting the overall decision-making process.

Methodology. A qualitative approach is adopted, employing a single case study methodology. As a key and distinctive company that promotes well-being, Cisco is chosen. Through the collection of 973 reviews of Cisco managers from a worldwide job platform (i.e., Indeed), a thematic content analysis is performed.

Results. The results show that psychological, social, and contextual factors are interconnected and contribute in a balanced way to workplace well-being.

Research limitations. The investigation of a single case study does not allow generalizations.

Managerial implications. The study demonstrates that managers can affect workplace well-being. In this direction, it is valuable to inspire and support managers to be proactive, supportive, collaborative, and ready to adapt and react to change to facilitate a smooth decision-making process.

Originality of the paper. Despite the prolific research on well-being, few studies focus on adopting a manager’s perspective to understand how well-being can affect the decision-making process. Both the multidimensional and multilayered nature of workplace well-being are addressed in the study.

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Published

2025-07-30