Abstract
Quality of Work Life (QWL) reflects workers' satisfaction and fulfillment in their job and work environment. In Japan's aging and shrinking workforce, achieving sustainable and healthy working lives has become a pressing issue. While QWL research has addressed various elements, few comprehensive scales have been developed specifically for the Japanese context. This study aimed to develop a new QWL scale—Sustainable Quality of Working Life (S-QWL)—from the perspectives of human resource management and organizational sustainability. Based on a broad review of domestic and international literature, we extracted core conceptual domains and constructed a theoretical framework. The S-QWL scale consists of three primary domains: Work-Life Balance, Job Match, and Overall Satisfaction. Job Match is further divided into two subdomains: Personal Performance and Work Environment. Eighteen items were developed by referencing existing scales and expert review to ensure clarity and relevance. The S-QWL scale provides a practical and multidimensional tool for assessing QWL in Japan. It offers a foundation for improving employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity by reframing workers as "capital" rather than "cost." Furthermore, enhanced QWL may positively impact families, communities, and broader societal well-being. Future validation studies using empirical data are needed to confirm the scale's reliability and utility in workforce and policy development.
https://ror.org/01fyk0v41 
