Research Information System
International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 2025 (ESCI)
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether emotional deprivation has a moderating role in the effect of the work engagement of software developers working according to alternative working models on their well-being. Design/methodology/approach: The moderating role of emotional deprivation in the relationship between work engagement and well-being was investigated using the PROCESS macro (Model 1) developed by Andrew F. Hayes. The study sample consists of 588 software developers residing in Türkiye. These developers were working in an office environment before the COVID-19 pandemic and later switched to working from home or a hybrid working model. In the sample, 326 (55.44%) work exclusively from home, while 262 (44.56%) follow a hybrid model, working two days from home and three days from the office, or vice versa. Findings: According to the results of the study, emotional deprivation plays a moderating role in the effect of the work engagement of software developers working from home on their well-being. It was determined that the extent to which the work engagement of software developers working from home affects their well-being depends on their level of emotional deprivation being low, medium and high. However, such a moderating effect could not be detected for software developer’s hybrid working. Research limitations/implications: While this study provides significant findings, it has methodological limitations. The cross-sectional design does not establish causal relationships between variables; future longitudinal research could offer deeper insights. The reliance on self-report scales introduces potential response biases. Additionally, the study lacks qualitative data on the experiential aspects of emotional deprivation’s moderating role. Using mixed-methods approaches could enhance validity by offering a more comprehensive view. Lastly, the sample consisted solely of software developers in Türkiye; extending research to different cultural contexts and conducting cross-cultural comparisons could further validate and enrich the results. Practical implications: The authors found that emotional deprivation plays a moderating role in the impact of work passion on the well-being of software developers working from home. However, there was no moderating role for emotional deprivation in software developers who go to the office 2 or 3 days a week and work hybrid. Social implications: The fact that emotional deprivation does not play a moderating role in hybrid employees may indicate that face-to-face interactions are important for meeting employees’ emotional needs and maintaining their well-being. In the hybrid model, returning to the office and physical interactions within the team can strengthen individuals’ bonds at work and reduce social deprivation. This, in turn, allows the employee to focus on their work in a healthier and more motivated way. Originality/value: This study examined the impact of work engagement on the general well-being of two groups (working from home and hybrid working) with the same occupation but different work patterns. It also investigated how emotional deprivation affects this relationship. The results of the study show that the emotional deprivation of working from home has a significant impact on their overall well-being. This finding raises questions about whether online interactions can replace face-to-face interactions. A review of the literature suggests that making such a comparison is a novel approach. In recent years, global businesses have experienced the negative aspects of working from home and their efforts to develop office solutions increase the importance of this research and the results obtained.