The fabric of employee well-being: a conservation of resources approach to decent work conditions in the Turkish garment industry

Purpose Based on a decent work scale (DWS) derived from the decent work literature and tailored to the Turkish garment industry, we propose a multidimensional model showing the differentiated impacts of decent work dimensions on various facets of employee well-being. Design/methodology/approach Using our customized DWS formulated from discussions with industry experts and academics, the European Working Conditions Survey (2015) and Ferraro et al.’s DWS (2018b), we employ a cross-sectional analysis using surveys of 332 white-collar employees in 6 garment firms across Türkiye. We conduct an exploratory factor analysis to identify the DWS structure and a confirmatory factor analysis to validate our model. Finally, we apply a PROCESS analysis to examine direct and indirect effects, assessing relationships among the variables. Findings We find white-collar employees in Türkiye emphasize earnings and equity as critical resources that enhance all aspects of well-being, while workplace safety, work-family balance and work intensity have more limited effects. The analysis also reveals that physical well-being serves as a mediator between most dimensions of decent work conditions in fostering personal well-being. Originality/value Our DWS measures decent work conditions specifically for the garment industry based on a unique participatory survey that adds a novel element to survey development. Utilizing conservation of resources theory, our model analyzes the relationships between decent work and employee well-being. By recognizing decent work conditions as valuable resources for well-being, the study offers insights for decision-makers in the garment sector, showing that changes in these resources influence various aspects of well-being that ultimately affect firm productivity and sustainability.