HAPPINESS IN WORK SETTING: SCALE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDITY IN THE UNITED ARAB OF EMIRATES

Purpose –This paper attempt to identify the factors that influence high-technology employees to be happy in their jobs in a leading firm in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Based on these factors, a measure of Happiness in Work Setting (HWS) scale is proposed. Design/Methodology/Approach – Two methods were applied: 1) a qualitative study was conducted with content analyses utilising senior managers; a focus group and human resource (HR) experts to develop and validate an exploratory questionnaire. 2) The validated questionnaire was then sent to a sample of 160 high-tech employees. One hundred-twenty responses were received and factor analysed exploring several constructs of Happiness. Findings – Three first-order factors were identified. After reducing the items to solitary reliable items with high factor loadings, the survey was found to be a reliable and valid instrument to measure three components of Happiness: Positive Mindset, Shared Purpose, and Affective Work Environment. Research limitations/implications – Further research is needed to test the measures in different industries, with more extensive and diversified samples. Practical implications –Strategic leaders and HR managers can nurture a happy workplace, resulting in a positive influence on organisations' business environment by embedding this kind of scale at work.