Building Competence and Retention Through Employee Well-being and Lifelong Learning: Insights from the United Arab Emirates Real Estate Sector
Date
2024-09
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Publisher
The British University in Dubai (BUiD)
Abstract
Despite the economic significance of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) real estate sector, empirical research is sparse on how various aspects of employee well-being—such as work-life balance, job wellness, purpose in life, and physical wellness—affect lifelong learning, and subsequently, professional competence and retention. Therefore, there is a crucial gap in understanding the relationship between employee well-being and professional outcomes. This research bridges this gap by investigating the relationship and examining the moderating role of grit at work. Utilizing a quantitative methodology, the study collected data from 510 professionals via a structured questionnaire and analyzed them using structural equation modeling. Accordingly, employee well-being has a significant impact on lifelong learning, which in turn enhances professional competence and retention. Additionally, grit at work amplifies the positive effects of lifelong learning on professional outcomes, adding a new dimension to existing theories on employee development. This study contributes to the literature by empirically demonstrating the mediating role of lifelong learning and introducing the moderating effect of grit, thereby providing new insights into the factors that drive employee competence and retention. The practical implications highlight the importance of organizations prioritizing well-being initiatives and lifelong learning to promote professional development and reduce turnover. Therefore, this research not only addresses a significant knowledge gap but also offers actionable recommendations for improving employee outcomes in the UAE’s real estate sector.
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Keywords
employee well-being, lifelong learning, professional competence, employee retention, grit at work, real estate sector, UAE