Exploring employee happiness in high-performance work environments: with a focus on work intensification

Purpose This study aims to adopt an employee-centric perspective to examine the effects of High-Performance Work Systems (HPWSs) on various dimensions of employee happiness (EH), including life satisfaction, work meaningfulness (WM), personal life (PL) balance and affective commitment (AC), with a focus on the mediating role of work intensification (WI) in the Indian real estate sector. Design/methodology/approach This study targeted middle- and senior-level employees in India’s real estate industry. Data collected from 447 employees were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings The findings reveal that HPWS positively influences WI, negatively impacting life satisfaction and PL balance. However, HPWSs positively contribute to WM. Notably, this study highlights that the negative consequences of HPWSs are associated with diminished AC, although the overall impact on EH remains multifaceted. Originality/value This study is among the first to explore the impact of HPWSs on EH and AC in the Indian real estate sector, particularly among middle- and senior-level employees. By addressing a significant research gap, the findings contribute to the literature on HPWS and provide sector-specific insights into the Indian real estate industry.