Organization-based self-esteem and work-life outcomes
ISSN: 0048-3486
Article publication date: 21 April 2020
Issue publication date: 13 January 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the relationship of organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) to work-life conflict and enrichment. It considers whether work engagement mediates this relationship and whether organizational support moderates the relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from surveys completed by 271 academic life scientists and an MTurk sample of 197 full-time employees.
Findings
Overall, OBSE is significantly associated with work-life conflict and work-life enrichment, although the relationships between OBSE and life-work conflict and life-work enrichment were not significant for the academic scientist sample. Work engagement mediated the relationship between OBSE and work-life conflict and enrichment to varying extents. Organizational support moderated the relationship between OBSE and life-work conflict.
Research limitations/implications
The research extends the literature on work-life and life-work conflict and enrichment through demonstrating how personal resources at work, specifically OBSE and work engagement, impact the work-life interactions. It also extends the JD-R theory to show how personal resources may operate sequentially and whether organizational resources may interact with personal resources. Limitations include the lack of longitudinal data and the specific characteristics of the sample.
Practical implications
The results suggest that organizations should institute human resources practices that increase an individual’s OBSE because it is negatively associated with work-life conflict and positively associated with work-life enrichment.
Originality/value
Our research expands the limited study of how personal resources affect work-life conflict and enrichment. In particular, we look at previously unstudied but still important relationships of OBSE with work-life conflict and enrichment and whether work engagement mediates and organizational support moderates this relationship.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was partially funded by a grant from the Richard Lounsbery Foundation. We thank Carlos Bello, Kathy Dunn, and Wendy Murphy for their participation in the study of academic scientists.
Citation
Gordon, J.R. and Hood, E. (2021), "Organization-based self-esteem and work-life outcomes", Personnel Review, Vol. 50 No. 1, pp. 21-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-09-2019-0484
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited