The SALCOR framework: A transformative approach to employee well-being

Abstract

Orientation: The well-being of employees is essential for the sustainability of an organisation; however, current models frequently neglect the significant connection between individual resources and organisational culture. The SALCOR framework integrates the salutogenic model with conservation of resources (COR) theory to effectively address these limitations through a comprehensive, resilience-focused approach.

Research purpose: The purpose of this research is to present and evaluate the theoretical foundations of the SALCOR framework, illustrating its capacity to integrate disparate well-being strategies and improve organisational outcomes.

Motivation for the study: The ongoing fragmentation in workplace well-being models, along with the lack of adequate integration between personal and organisational dynamics, calls for a comprehensive framework. The SALCOR framework effectively addresses these gaps by aligning health resources with the organisational culture.

Research approach/design and method: A conceptual framework development methodology, incorporating systematic theoretical analysis, was applied to explore the dynamic interaction between salutogenesis and COR theory in optimising employee well-being.

Main findings: The SALCOR framework demonstrates that combining COR theory’s resource optimisation with salutogenesis’s sense of coherence significantly enhances resilience and overall well-being, particularly in resource-intensive or high-stress organisational environments.

Practical/managerial implications: The framework offers actionable insights for organisations to develop integrated strategies that enhance resource alignment and coherence, promoting sustainable employee resilience in various workplace environments.

Contribution/value-add: This study presents a new framework in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, addressing significant theoretical and practical gaps by promoting a comprehensive and adaptable approach to employee well-being.