Revisiting occupational well-being for optimal performance: a strategic review and future research agenda

Purpose The primary objective of this study is to outline strategic directions for future research in occupational well-being, with a focus on its impact on employee performance. This involves examining theoretical advancements, empirical findings, contextual industry analyses and methodological innovations in well-being research. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a two-pronged approach, utilizing scientometric analysis to assess research productivity and thematic evolution in occupational well-being, alongside the Theory-Context-Characteristics-Methods (TCCM) framework to delve into the theories, characteristics, contexts and methods utilized in the field. Findings Over the past four years, 54% of the 447 articles on occupational well-being were published. Key theories include Job Demands-Resources and Conservation of Resources. Notable antecedents impacting well-being include personal resources, job demands and agile work practices, while notable outcomes include job performance. Most studies are quantitative, primarily using surveys for data collection. Overall, the review highlights several research gaps. Research limitations/implications This study identifies critical research gaps in occupational well-being with a focus on employee performance, advocating for empirical exploration of HR practices, particularly by grounding the rationale in organizational support theory, transactional analysis, flow theory and mixed-methods approaches. It emphasizes the need for contextual analyses across diverse industries, particularly in the gig economy, to enhance understanding and application in future research. Practical implications The findings offer actionable insights for organizations, highlighting the importance of occupational well-being in enhancing employee performance. Emphasizing analytics, such as “time to productivity,” can help monitor the impact of well-being initiatives on profitability. Originality/value This research integrates scientometric analysis with the TCCM approach, emphasizing the variables associated with occupational well-being. It offers important insights for fostering workplace well-being and enhancing employee performance.