Understanding flexibility i-deals: integrating performance motivation in the context of Colombia

Abstract

Purpose

The goal of this study is to explore the consequences of flexibility i-deals in work and non-work domains of employees.

Design/methodology/approach

A matched supervisor–subordinate sample context drawn from a security organization in Chile (N = 3,624 subordinates matched with 107 supervisors) was used which is an unrepresented context in research on i-deals.

Findings

Results from multi-level analyses reveal that the interaction of performance motivation of subordinates and flexibility i-deals matters to performance motivation of subordinates. In turn, performance motivation reduces turnover intentions and work–family conflict of subordinates.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from multi-level structural equation modelling supported our hypotheses and offered interesting implications for the i-deals literature and practitioners. Our findings highlight (1) the importance of being performance driven to obtain flexibility i-deals and (2) the enabling role of performance-oriented supervisors.

Practical implications

Flexibility i-deals act as mechanism that translate the impact of performance motivation on key work and non-work outcomes and can be considered as important HR tools for employees and managers.

Originality/value

This research highlights the importance of performance motivation to obtain i-deals and emphasises that the motivation of supervisors is key to enable these deals. Furthermore, the context of this research, which is a security organisation, is important as research to date has been conducted in Western and corporate settings.

Citation

Ererdi, C., Wang, S., Rofcanin, Y. and Las Heras, M. (2023), "Understanding flexibility i-deals: integrating performance motivation in the context of Colombia", Personnel Review, Vol. 52 No. 4, pp. 1094-1109. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-08-2019-0419