Compressed work week – predictors and outcomes: a systematic review using text mining

The digitalisation of work processes, fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic and the expansion of hybrid work, has renewed interest in Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs), including Compressed Work Weeks (CWWs). However, prior reviews have not systematically investigated the predictors of CWW adoption or provided an integrated overview of their individual- and organisational-level outcomes. This systematic review addresses these gaps through a topic modelling analysis of 140 research papers. Findings indicate that CWW adoption is shaped by individual, work-related, and family-related predictors, including attitudes towards time use, commuting time and distance, supervisory and organisational support, and perceived work-life balance (WLB) benefits. CWWs are generally associated with higher job satisfaction, lower turnover intention, and improved WLB, although these benefits may be reduced when extended daily working hours are involved. Evidence regarding health, fatigue, sleep, productivity, and performance remains mixed, particularly depending on daily working hours and whether subjective or objective indicators are utilised. At the organisational level, evidence on absenteeism, turnover, productivity, performance, and financial outcomes remains limited, while emerging research suggests reductions in energy use. This review integrates predictors and outcomes, clarifies conceptual distinctions,demonstrates that CWW outcomes are contingent on contextual factors, and identifies directions for future research and HRM practice.