The role of employee attributions in burnout of “talented” employees
ISSN: 0048-3486
Article publication date: 1 October 2019
Issue publication date: 14 January 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine a process through which perceived talent identification affects employee burnout.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for the study were collected from 242 employees using a cross-sectional survey design.
Findings
The findings supported the mediating role of work effort in the relationship between perceived talent identification and burnout. Furthermore, the results highlighted the moderating role of employee well-being attributions in the relationship between perceived talent identification and employee work effort. The moderated–mediated relationship for burnout was also supported.
Research limitations/implications
Using insights from conservation of resources and attribution theories, this study not only examined the direct relationship between perceived talent identification and feelings of burnout but also provided insights into why perceived talent identification leads to different employee outcomes.
Practical implications
Management should pay attention to the communication processes related to talent identification because employees’ interpretation of the underlying motives of this identification impacts their well-being (i.e. feelings of burnout).
Originality/value
This study examines employees’ attributions in the context of talent management and demonstrates that these interpretations play an important role in shaping their behaviours.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research is partially supported by ASAC-CJAS PhD Research Grant. The authors would like to thank the editor, two anonymous reviewers and Dr Amanda Shantz for their constructive feedback on the earlier version of this paper.
Citation
Malik, A.R. and Singh, P. (2020), "The role of employee attributions in burnout of “talented” employees", Personnel Review, Vol. 49 No. 1, pp. 19-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-02-2018-0064
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited