Does employee happiness create value for firm performance?

Ihlas Sovbetov ()
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Ihlas Sovbetov: Istanbul Aydın University

Palgrave Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract This study examines the impact of employee happiness on firm performance in the UK using data from the “Best 100 British Companies to Work For” list (2001–2020). Applying the Carhart four-factor model to monthly data, we find that happier firms outperform the market, generating a monthly alpha of 32 basis points (3.86% annualized), which increases further to 34 basis points when weighted by ranking. Newly listed firms experience significant abnormal returns, whereas delisted firms show no excess returns, suggesting asymmetric market reactions to inclusion versus removal. Disaggregated analysis by industry shows the highest alpha in the technology sector, where human capital and innovation amplify the role of employee satisfaction. The industrial sector yields more modest alphas, likely reflecting capital intensity, more rigid work environments, and sectoral heterogeneity. A longevity analysis indicates that the market fully incorporates the intangible benefits of listing only after 36 months. Robustness checks using Fama-MacBeth regressions confirm that employee-related factors—such as workplace conditions, rewards, happiness, and demographics—significantly influence firm performance.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05024-2

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