Year: 2023
Type: dissertation
Abstract: In almost all organizations someone works under the title manager and all of them have once become managers. This study aims to add our understanding of first-time managers (FTMs) in Finland. Especially the challenges FTMs face, how they overcome them as well as the personal well-being of FTMs during the process are in focus. This thesis is a qualitative interview study, in which a phenomenological-hermeneutical approach is used. The data was obtained with one round of semi-structured interviews. The main findings of the study include the three types of overall experiences of becoming a manager, which appeared to be challenging, neutral or good/easy. Smoothening factors appeared to be e.g., an appropriately demanding FTM role and a reasonable workload. However, also the uniqueness of FTM experiences became obvious. It seems that key skills for an FTM are critical thinking, reflection and acting consciously instead of reacting. Agenda management and job crafting are great examples of this, and they, as well as social support, help FTMs to overcome a variety of challenges. New to the existing literature were the effects the Covid-19 pandemic had on FTMs e.g., difficulties to get into a new organization due to remote work. Furthermore, the importance of the well-being of FTMs became clear and it seems that it might also affect the well-being of their subordinates. Applying the Job demands–resources theory (JD–R) to FTMs seemed to be something new to the literature. It indeed seems that JD–R and especially job crafting as well as strategies for stress recovery can help FTMs by supporting their work-life balance and recovery from work. However, as FTMs are often young and/or inexperienced, it might be hard for them to know what to craft in their jobs, how to do it and whether it would be acceptable to do so. The findings suggest that the process of becoming a manager and the well-being of FTMs during it deserve to be considered thoroughly. For instance, the FTMs should be supported and not left alone. Therefore, in the end of the study there are recommendations for both individuals considering a managerial career as well as organizations employing FTMs.
Source: Aaltodoc (Aalto University)
Author: Hakala, Rasmus
Language: English
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7112687173