The relationship between feedback environment, feedback orientation, psychological empowerment and burnout among police in China

Abstract

Purpose

Burnout among first-line police in China is high. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between feedback environment, feedback orientation, psychological empowerment, and burnout as related to the police work.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was conducted with a sample of 437 basic-level policemen and policewomen in the Shandong province of China. Participants completed a series of questionnaires including the supervisor feedback environment scale, feedback orientation scale, psychological empowerment scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

Findings

The results indicate that police supervisor feedback environment is negatively related to burnout. The relationship between the supervisor feedback environment and burnout is perfectly mediated by psychological empowerment and significantly moderated by feedback orientation. The mediation effect of psychological empowerment is significantly influenced by feedback orientation.

Originality/value

The findings have contributed to answering several recent questions in the feedback-burnout literature. The authors stress that leaders should strive to build a supportive feedback environment for employees.

Citation

Gong, Z., Zhang, J., Zhao, Y. and Yin, L. (2017), "The relationship between feedback environment, feedback orientation, psychological empowerment and burnout among police in China", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 40 No. 2, pp. 336-350. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-03-2016-0046