A meta-analysis of sleep and work performance

Abstract

The present study utilizes meta-analytic techniques to examine the extent literature on sleep and work performance in field research. In line with previous meta-analytic research, results indicate that sleep and work performance have a positive relationship. However, more importantly, results from moderator analyses reveal valuable insight into the nuances of the sleep-work performance relationship. Specifically, results indicate that the type of sleep measurement (sleep quantity, sleep quality, and sleepiness), work performance measurement (task performance, organizational citizenship behavior, and counterproductive work behavior), study design (between-person and within-person), source of sleep measurement (self-report and non self-report), and sleep recall window (daily, weekly/monthly, and more than monthly) differentially influence the strength of the sleep-work performance relationship. In general, results confirm that sleep is an important construct to consider when studying, or attempting to improve, performance in the organizational context. Furthermore, results highlight the importance of measurement and study design considerations when conducting sleep-work performance research in field settings. Research implications, practical implications, potential limitations, and future directions are also discussed.