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1 – 10 of over 3000Haizhen Wang, Xin Ma, Ge An, Wenming Zhang and Huili Tang
Goal orientation shapes employees’ approach to and interpretation of workplace aspects such as supervisors’ behavior. However, research has not fully examined the effect of goal…
Abstract
Purpose
Goal orientation shapes employees’ approach to and interpretation of workplace aspects such as supervisors’ behavior. However, research has not fully examined the effect of goal orientation as an antecedent of abusive supervision. Drawing from victim precipitation theory, this study aims to fill this research gap by investigating how employees’ goal orientation influences their perception of abusive supervision.
Design/methodology/approach
Two studies were conducted to test the hypotheses. In Study 1, 181 employees in 45 departments participated in the survey, and multilevel confirmatory factor analysis, two-level path model and polynomial regression were used. In Study 2, 108 working adults recruited from a professional online survey platform participated in a two-wave time-lagged survey. Confirmatory factor analysis, hierarchical linear regression and polynomial regression were used.
Findings
This study found that employees’ learning goal orientation was negatively related to their perception of abusive supervision. In contrast, performance-avoidance goal orientation was positively related to their perception of abusive supervision, whereas performance-approach goal orientation was unrelated to this perception. Moreover, employees’ perception of abusive supervision was greater when learning and performance-approach goal orientation alignment occurred at lower rather than higher levels, and when performance-avoidance and performance-approach goal orientation alignment occurred at higher rather than lower levels.
Originality/value
This research identified two novel victim traits as antecedents of abusive supervision – employees’ learning goal orientation and performance-avoidance goal orientation. Furthermore, adopting a multiple goal perspective, the authors examined the combined effects of goal orientation on employees’ perception of abusive supervision.
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Qi He, Jingtao Fu, Wenhao Wu and Siqi Feng
Based on achievement motivation theory and two-factor theory, this research aimed to synergize cooperative goal interdependence (refer to possessing incentive factors) and…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on achievement motivation theory and two-factor theory, this research aimed to synergize cooperative goal interdependence (refer to possessing incentive factors) and illegitimate tasks (refer to the absence of security factors) and build a triple interaction model in the process of performance pressure affecting employees’ thriving at work.
Design/methodology/approach
This research collected 291 valid data through a two-point time-lagged method to test the direct effect of performance pressure on employees’ thriving at work and its moderating mechanism.
Findings
Performance pressure has a significant positive effect on employees’ thriving at work. Cooperative goal interdependence imposes an enhanced moderating effect between performance pressure and employees’ thriving at work. Illegitimate task imposes an interfering moderating effect between performance pressure and employees’ thriving at work and further interferes the enhanced moderating effect of cooperative goal interdependence.
Practical implications
Under the premise of advocating for employees to internalize performance pressure originating from the organizational performance management system into their own achievement motivation, leaders should establish incentive systems and security systems for employees to realize self-achievement through the process of goal management and task management.
Originality/value
This research confirmed the joint determination of incentive effect and insecurity effect on employees’ achievement motivation by cooperative goal interdependence and illegitimate task and revealed the boundary conditions of employees’ choice of thriving at work.
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Vandana Madhavan and Murale Venugopalan
Employee training and learning have transformed over the years. The movement from classroom training to the blended format represents the magnitude of this evolution. This has…
Abstract
Purpose
Employee training and learning have transformed over the years. The movement from classroom training to the blended format represents the magnitude of this evolution. This has placed much attention on self-regulated learning. This study aimed to understand the individual and organizational mechanisms that sustain the formal learning process in organizations. It explored the goals the organizations and employees strive to achieve by investing in learning. Through this, the authors investigated how technology assistance makes learning more goal-oriented, despite the possibility of different goals for different stakeholders. They also examined how person-job fit can be achieved in employee training.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a grounded theory-based inductive approach using a qualitative inquiry that used in-depth interviews of employees working in the Indian IT/ITES sector. This sector is knowledge-intensive and engages in constant skill development. A content analysis of the interview transcripts unraveled the most relevant themes from the participants' discussion.
Findings
Individual learners use dimensions of self-regulated learning to set and achieve goals such as better performance and career development. On the other hand, organizations use learning support mechanisms such as better access and flexibility to direct employee learning behavior to achieve organizational goals. Focusing on goal congruence leads to better achievement of results. Goal congruence also implies good person-organization fit.
Originality/value
This research established how aligning individual and organizational mechanisms can help achieve training goals that ultimately contribute to organizational performance. The study differentiated itself by investigating training goal setting and goal achievement at two levels – organizational and individual – using a qualitative approach. It also showed how goal congruence is vital in improving organizational performance and how technology-enabled training practices rely on self-regulated learning and help achieve goal congruence.
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Jiajia Cheng, Lianying Zhang, Mingming He and Yingying Yao
Project-based organizations (PBOs) face challenges to enhance employee work engagement because of dynamic and constant role configuration. Accordingly, this study aims to explore…
Abstract
Purpose
Project-based organizations (PBOs) face challenges to enhance employee work engagement because of dynamic and constant role configuration. Accordingly, this study aims to explore how ethical leadership enhances employee work engagement from a sensemaking perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a questionnaire-based quantitative research design to collect data from 194 full-time employees in PBOs. The data were analyzed via partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique to test hypotheses.
Findings
The findings show a positive relationship between ethical leadership and work engagement. Additionally, the relationship between ethical leadership and work engagement is mediated by two sensemaking mechanisms, i.e. goal commitment and prosocial.
Originality/value
This study deepens the understanding of how ethical leadership enhances work engagement in PBOs by providing two sensemaking mechanisms. By exploring the sensemaking process through which ethical leaders help employees construct identity, the findings contribute to the current literature on how ethical leadership enhances work engagement in PBOs.
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Yating Wang, Qinghui Hou, Zewei Xue and Huan Li
This study established and examined a moderated mediation model connecting family motivation with proactive career behavior (PCB). Drawing on social cognitive career theory model…
Abstract
Purpose
This study established and examined a moderated mediation model connecting family motivation with proactive career behavior (PCB). Drawing on social cognitive career theory model of career self-management and person-environment fit theory, the authors posit that the influence of family motivation on PCB is mediated by career goal setting (CGS) and moderated by career support climate (CSC).
Design/methodology/approach
Using multilevel modeling techniques, data were collected from 98 leaders and 416 employees at two-time points.
Findings
Results show that family motivation has a positive direct and indirect effect on PCB through CGS. Additionally, CSC strengthens the positive effect of family motivation on PCB through CGS.
Practical implications
For employees, proactive career management and the establishment of clear career goals are vital for fulfilling family responsibilities. Simultaneously, for managers and organizations, creating a supportive work environment is crucial to encourage employees in career management.
Originality/value
While existing research highlights the detrimental effect of fulfilling family caregiving responsibilities on employees' career development, the comprehension of this relationship remains limited. Taking a family motivation perspective, this study explores the mechanisms through which family motivation stimulates employees to engage in PCB, with a specific focus on the moderating influence of CSC. The findings offer fresh insights into the role of family motivation in career development, contributing significantly to the broader literature on the intersection of family and careers.
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Although learning goal orientation (LGO) has shown to promote learning and performance in employees, only a limited number of studies have explored its situational antecedents…
Abstract
Purpose
Although learning goal orientation (LGO) has shown to promote learning and performance in employees, only a limited number of studies have explored its situational antecedents. The main purpose of the present research was to examine the effects of role modeling on employee LGO and proactive behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-wave survey was conducted to collect data from medical employees (n = 478) at an acute hospital in Japan.
Findings
The results of structural equation modeling showed that role model proactive behavior promoted employee LGO, mediated through perceived role model LGO; and that perceived role model LGO enhanced employee proactive behavior, mediated through employee LGO.
Research limitations/implications
As the sample was limited to employees in a nursing department at a Japanese hospital, the characteristics of the national culture and occupation may have potentially affected the results.
Practical implications
Proactive employees can act as role models to enhance the level of employees' LGO and proactive behavior in organizations. It is imperative to develop employee role modeling to enhance LGO and proactive behavior.
Originality/value
This study may be the first to identify the influence of role modeling as an antecedent of LGO. The role model may provide employees with job resources to develop their LGO and proactive behaviors.
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The purpose of this paper, intended primarily for practitioners, is to demonstrate how features of psychological capital (PsyCap) may be combined with manager efforts to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper, intended primarily for practitioners, is to demonstrate how features of psychological capital (PsyCap) may be combined with manager efforts to collaborate with an employee on an action learning project. In reciprocal action learning, manager and employee create a partnership to learn, achieve work-focused goals and advance their relationship. Initiatives aimed at positively stimulating employee assets and psychological or behavioral attributes can overlay the action learning process.
Design/methodology/approach
A narrative synthesis was used to examine three sources of empirical research from organizational psychology and human resource management: reciprocity, action learning and PsyCap. Information was integrated to create a guide, a model for managers for use in considering options about how to structure employee and self-learning, as well as options for use in stimulating employee assets and PsyCap.
Findings
The approach presented may serve as a practical guide for manager consideration. Research identifies several types of behaviors and activities intended to positively stimulate and reinforce the learning of both participants. The literature on PsyCap offers many initiatives for a manager to consider in assisting an employee to develop talent and positive attitudes. Such efforts have to be carefully tailored to the individual employee, the tasks at hand and the manager’s own learning needs.
Originality/value
The value of action learning is supported by a relatively large research base. The significance of PsyCap also has substantial support. Innovatively, this paper offers guidance to a manager in consideration of combining the attributes of both concepts to maximize positive effects on learning, personal growth, skill development and work achievement.
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Abstract
Purpose
Despite the growing body of empirical research on leader anger expressions, the issue of how and when leader anger expressions shape newcomers’ proactive career behavior and work alienation in the construction industry has been largely overlooked. Building upon social information processing theory, this research identifies newcomers’ organization-based self-esteem as a mediator, and suggests that newcomers’ performance goal orientation could moderate the relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire study was conducted on the construction industry in China, and the PROCESS program developed by Hayes was used to test the hypothetical model with 215 valid cases.
Findings
The results suggest that leader anger expressions are negatively associated with newcomers’ organization-based self-esteem, and organization-based self-esteem mediated the link between leader anger expressions and newcomers’ proactive career behavior and work alienation. Furthermore, the newcomers’ performance goal orientation moderates the negative impact of leader anger expressions on newcomers’ organization-based self-esteem.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the cross-sectional nature of this study, causal implications are difficult to draw. Moreover, all data we received was based on participant self-reports, which may raise concerns about common method variance.
Originality/value
In this paper, we contribute to a deeper understanding of the mediating mechanisms and boundary conditions by which leader anger expressions influence newcomers’ proactive career behavior and work alienation from social information processing perspective, in addition to providing valuable insights for management of newcomers in the construction industry.
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This study aims to determine whether and how objectives and key results (OKRs) can be used to solve performance measurement issues encountered by organizations.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine whether and how objectives and key results (OKRs) can be used to solve performance measurement issues encountered by organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 204 staff members from 26 Thai organizations that adopted OKRs were interviewed. Five senior executives and five operational staff members with experience using OKRs were selected from each organization. Content analysis was also performed.
Findings
OKRs facilitate the acceptance of performance indicators and help solve issues of alignment between indicators and organizational strategies as well as improper target setting.
Research limitations/implications
The results have limited generalizability because of the qualitative approach undertaken in the study. Further research can test whether the results hold true if OKRs are used for longer than six months.
Practical implications
The results of this study can be used to help managers and employees set challenging targets, utilize their competencies and find a sense of relatedness, which can lead to organizational success.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to thoroughly investigate the use of OKRs by adopting the self-determination theory (SDT) as the main theoretical framework.
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Zhihong Tan, Ling Yuan, Junli Wang and Qunchao Wan
This study aims to investigate the negative interpersonal antecedents, emotional mediators and boundary conditions of knowledge sabotage behavior.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the negative interpersonal antecedents, emotional mediators and boundary conditions of knowledge sabotage behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected data from 275 Chinese employees using convenience sampling and snowball sampling across three stages. Subsequently, the authors used both hierarchical regression and bootstrap methods to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results confirmed that workplace ostracism has positive effects on employee knowledge sabotage behavior both directly and via employee anger. In addition, the authors found that employee bottom-line mentality (BLM) moderates not only the direct effect of workplace ostracism on employee anger but also the indirect effect of employee anger in this context. Employee conscientiousness moderates only the direct effect of workplace ostracism on employee anger and does not moderate the indirect effect.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study not only explores the influence of workplace ostracism on employee knowledge sabotage behavior for the first time but also elucidates the underlying emotional mechanisms (anger) and boundary conditions (employee BLM and conscientiousness) by which workplace ostracism influences employee knowledge sabotage behavior, thus deepening the understanding of how knowledge sabotage emerges in organizations.
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