Modeling the effects of commuting satisfaction on overall well-being: A comparison of involuntary versus voluntary workplace relocation

Keywords: Commuting satisfaction, satisfaction with life domains other than commuting, Well being, Workplace relocation, Structural Equation Modeling
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Despite extensive literature on the determinants of satisfaction with commuting, little attention has been paid to the interactions between satisfaction with commuting (CS) and satisfaction with other life domains (SLD). This is surprising as (daily) commuting is highly dependent on the choices we make in other areas of our lives, such as where we live and work, how we allocate our daily time and etc. However, taking into account interactions and satisfaction with these other life domains is important, as the impact of commuting on overall well-being may be overestimated if SLD is not taken into account. Furthermore, existing studies on daily mobility are limited to analyzing the impact of CS on overall well-being after a life event (in most cases a change of residence). As a change of residence is an important starting point for many home-to-work trips, a change of workplace could also be an important anchor point for such trips. Therefore, in this study, we attempt to fill this knowledge gap in the literature on travel satisfaction so far. We aim to model the impact of CS on overall well-being using data from an online retrospective survey. The novelty of this study thus lies in the comparison between involuntary (who moved with their employer), voluntary (who changed their employer voluntarily) movers, and those who did not change their job. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we argue that CS, SLD, and overall well-being would differ across these groups.