Redesigning roles through job crafting: a systematic literature review and future research directions

Purpose This study aims to systematically explore the evolution of job crafting, a proactive behavior enabling employees to modify their tasks, environments, and interactions to align with personal skills and interests. By analyzing publication trends, theoretical frameworks, and contextual factors, this research aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of job crafting, wherein individuals redesign their job roles through physical and cognitive changes. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review of 85 articles published between 2014 and 2024 was conducted using the Scopus database. The Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Review (SPAR-4 SLR) approach and Theory, Context, Characteristics, Methodology (TCCM) framework guided the analysis, enabling a detailed evaluation of methodologies and practical implications. Findings The review highlights job crafting as a significant mechanism for improving employee well-being and job satisfaction by enabling better alignment between individuals and their roles. It underscores its importance in helping employees adapt to dynamic work environments, mitigating job misfits, and fostering engagement. Practical implications include strategies for recruitment, job design, and task allocation to enhance employees’ performance and productivity. Originality/value This study uniquely synthesizes a decade of job crafting literature, offering actionable insights for organizations to promote employee-driven job redesigning. By addressing theoretical and methodological gaps, it sets a research agenda for future studies, emphasizing the importance of job crafting in modern workplaces for aligning organizational goals with employees’ strengths and preferences.