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Work context and turnover intention in social enterprises: the mediating role of meaning of work

Jonghun Sun (Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea)
Jeong Won Lee (School of Business, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea)
Young Woo Sohn (Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea)

Journal of Managerial Psychology

ISSN: 0268-3946

Article publication date: 13 February 2019

Issue publication date: 19 February 2019

1788

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of meaning of work as a linking mechanism between the perception of work context and turnover intention within the rarely studied context of social enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on meaning of work theories, an integrated research model was developed. Data were collected using questionnaires from 315 full-time employees at 114 social enterprises in Korea. Mediated and moderated structural equation models were used to assess the hypotheses.

Findings

Social mission was fully mediated by meaning of work to predict low turnover intention, and shared vision was partially mediated to predict the same. The authors also found that the positive relationship between social mission and meaning of work was stronger when shared vision was higher.

Originality/value

This study extends previous literature on managerial psychology (i.e. meaning of work and turnover) in the context of a new but increasingly prevalent organizational form, social enterprises. It also provides practical advice for managers seeking to retain employees and encourage the sustainability of the social enterprise sector.

Keywords

Citation

Sun, J., Lee, J.W. and Sohn, Y.W. (2019), "Work context and turnover intention in social enterprises: the mediating role of meaning of work", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 34 No. 1, pp. 46-60. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-11-2017-0412

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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