Meeting quality and employee well-being: determinants of meeting satisfaction, engagement and strain
Laura Hirva, Sanna Markkula, Saija Mauno, Pekka Isotalus, Anne MäkikangasPurpose
Workplace meetings are integral to collaboration and performance in organizations, and the quality of these meetings significantly affects meeting satisfaction and attendees’ well-being. Although meeting research has identified key quality factors – such as design, time management and leadership – most studies were conducted before the widespread adoption of virtual meetings. Building on the job demands–resources framework, this study investigates how different facets of meeting quality relate to well-being across diverse work and meeting contexts. Our findings highlight the fact that meeting experiences and their well-being impacts varied across work contexts, underscoring the importance of context-sensitive approaches to meeting design.
Design/methodology/approach
The cross-sectional survey data were collected among a heterogeneous sample of Finnish employees in autumn 2024 (n = 1910). Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling with Mplus8.
Findings
Time management was consistently and positively associated with meeting satisfaction and engagement and negatively with meeting strain. Moreover, the relationship between meeting quality and well-being varied across occupational roles and meeting contexts. Distinct patterns emerged particularly among managers, frequent meeting leaders and remote workers, highlighting how specific meeting quality factors relate differently to satisfaction and engagement across these subgroups.
Originality/value
This study demonstrates the fact that meeting quality and its effects are not uniform but shaped by contextual and role-related factors. While time management and participatory leadership help mitigate meeting-related strain, enhancing satisfaction and engagement requires greater attention to the work context. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring meeting practices to diverse occupational settings to better support employee well-being.