The Nexus of Organizational Virtuousness, Work Disengagement, and Helping Behaviors in the Face of Perceived Organizational Politics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69565/jems.v3i3.333Abstract
Perceived organisational politics has long been a severe factor in organisational performance. Drawing upon the conservation of resources and social exchange theory, the present research aims to investigate the effects of perceived organization politics on helping behaviors and engagement levels of employees, as well as examine the moderating role of organisational virtuousness between the above-stated variable. Our research aims to unravel how perceived organisational politics affects the employees' work-helping behaviours and level of engagement. Design: This cross-sectional study utilised a random sampling technique, and data was collected from 366 employees working in different federal government departments in Islamabad, Pakistan. Findings: The obtained results showed the significant negative effect of perceptions of organisational politics on helping behaviors by the mediating role of disengagement. These further stated that the positive role of organisational virtuousness had weakened the strong effect of perceived organizational politics on helping behaviours and reduced the level of disengagement between the predictor and criterion variables. Theoretical Implications: This study advances an understanding of organizational politics and its interaction with helping behaviours under the resources utilised in work settings. It contributes valuable insights for organisational and management theories, emphasizing the need to consider these multifaceted factors in optimising organizational virtuousness. Practical Implications: This research provides valuable insights to public sector organisations by shedding light on these multifaceted dynamics seeking positive behaviours in task performance amid evolving levels of engagement. Limitations and future recommendations are provided for further generalizability of current research. Originality: This study pioneers the exploration of the intricate interplay between perceived organizational politics, work disengagement, organizational virtuousness, and helping behaviours in the context of helping behaviours in the public sector of society.
References
Afrahi, B., Blenkinsopp, J., de Arroyabe, J. C. F., & Karim, M. S. (2022). Work disengagement: A review of the literature. Human Resource Management Review, 32(2), Article e100822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2021.100822 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2021.100822
Alarcon, G. M., & Edwards, J. M. (2011). The relationship of engagement, job satisfaction andturnover intentions. Stress and Health, 27(3), 294–298. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.1365 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.1365
Aldabbas, H., Pinnington, A., & Lahrech, A. (2023). The influence of perceived organizational support on employee creativity: The mediating role of work engagement. Current Psychology, 42(8), 6501–6515. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01992-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01992-1
Atshan, N. A., Al‐Abrrow, H., Abdullah, H. O., Khaw, K. W., Alnoor, A., & Abbas, S. (2022). The effect of perceived organizational politics on responses to job dissatisfaction: The moderating roles of self‐efficacy and political skill. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 41(2), 43–54. https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.22141 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.22141
Aubouin-Bonnaventure, J., Chevalier, S., Lahiani, F. J., & Fouquereau, E. (2024). Well-being and performance at work: a new approach favourable to the optimal functioning of workers through virtuous organisational practices. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 32(4), 608–623. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-01-2023-3584 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-01-2023-3584
Azeem, M. U., Haq, I. U., Murtaza, G., & Jaffery, H. (2023). Challenge–hindrance stressors, helping behavior and job performance: Double-edged sword of religiousness. Journal of Business Ethics, 184(3), 687–699. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-022-05129-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-022-05129-7
Batson, C. D., Duncan, B. D., Ackerman, P., Buckley, T., & Birch, K. (1981). Is empathic emotion a source of altruistic motivation? Journal of personality and Social Psychology, 40(2), 290–302. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.40.2.290 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.40.2.290
Batson, C. D., O'Quin, K., Fultz, J., Vanderplas, M., & Isen, A. M. (1983). Influence of self-reported distress and empathy on egoistic versus altruistic motivation to help. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45(3), 706–718. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.45.3.706 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.45.3.706
Brown, M. E., Treviño, L. K., & Harrison, D. A. (2005). Ethical leadership: A social learning perspective for construct development and testing. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 97(2), 117–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2005.03.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2005.03.002
Cameron, K. S., & Caza, A. (2004). Introduction: Contributions to the discipline of positive organizational scholarship. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(6), 731–739. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764203260207 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764203260207
Cameron, K. S., & Spreitzer, G. M. (Eds.). (2012). The Oxford handbook of positive organizational scholarship. OUP USA. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199734610.001.0001
Cameron, K., & Dutton, J. (Eds.). (2003). Positive organizational scholarship: Foundations of a new discipline. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Cropanzano, R., Howes, J. C., Grandey, A. A., & Toth, P. (1997). The relationship of organizational politics and support to work behaviors, attitudes, and stress. Journal of Organizational Behavior: The International Journal of Industrial, Occupational and Organizational Psychology and Behavior, 18(2), 159–180. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1379(199703)18:2%3C159::AID-JOB795%3E3.0.CO;2-D DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1379(199703)18:2<159::AID-JOB795>3.0.CO;2-D
Cropanzano, R., Rupp, D. E., & Byrne, Z. S. (2003). The relationship of emotional exhaustion to work attitudes, job performance, and organizational citizenship behaviors. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(1), 160–169. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.1.160 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.1.160
Darley, J. M., & Latané, B. (1968). Bystander intervention in emergencies: diffusion of responsibility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 8(4p1), 377–383. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0025589 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0025589
De Clercq, D., & Pereira, R. (2024). Perceived organizational politics, organizational disidentification and counterproductive work behaviour: Moderating role of external crisis threats to work. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 32(1), 183–205. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-10-2022-3442 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-10-2022-3442
De Clercq, D., Shu, C., & Gu, M. (2023). Overcoming organizational politics with tenacity and passion for work: benefits for helping behaviors. Personnel Review, 52(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-09-2020-0699 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-09-2020-0699
Demerouti, E., Bakker, A. B., Nachreiner, F., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2001). The job demands resources model of burnout. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(3), 499–512. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.86.3.499 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.86.3.499
Drory, A., Shkoler, O., & Tziner, A. (2022). Abusive leadership: A moderated-mediation through leader-member exchange and by organizational politics. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article e983199. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.983199 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.983199
Eisenbeiss, S. A., Van Knippenberg, D., & Boerner, S. (2008). Transformational leadership and team innovation: Integrating team climate principles. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(6), 1438–1446. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0012716
Eisenberger, R., Karagonlar, G., Stinglhamber, F., Neves, P., Becker, T. E., Gonzalez-Morales, M. G., & Steiger-Mueller, M. (2010). Leader–member exchange and affective organizational commitment: The contribution of supervisor's organizational embodiment. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95(6), 1085–1103. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020858 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020858
Eisenberger, R., Stinglhamber, F., Vandenberghe, C., Sucharski, I. L., & Rhoades, L. (2002). Perceived supervisor support: contributions to perceived organizational support and employee retention. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(3), 565–573. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.3.565 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.87.3.565
Fehr, E., & Fischbacher, U. (2003). The nature of human altruism. Nature, 425(6960), 785–791. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02043 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02043
Ferris, G. R., Adams, G., Kolodinsky, R. W., Hochwarter, W. A., & Ammeter, A. P. (2002). Perceptions of organizational politics: Theory and research directions. F. J. Yammarino, & F. Dansereau (Ed.), The many faces of multi-level issues (179–254). Emerald Group Publishing Limited DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1475-9144(02)01034-2
Ferris, G. R., Blickle, G., Schneider, P. B., Kramer, J., Zettler, I., Solga, J., & Meurs, J. A. (2008). Political skill construct and criterion‐related validation: A two‐study investigation. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 23(7), 744–771. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940810896321 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940810896321
Ferris, G. R., Perrewé, P. L., Anthony, W. P., & Gilmore, D. C. (2016). Political skill at work. In R. W. Allen, L. W. Porter, & H. L. Angle (Eds.), Organizational influence processes (pp. 395–406). Routledge.
Ferris, G. R., Treadway, D. C., Kolodinsky, R. W., Hochwarter, W. A., Kacmar, C. J., Douglas, C., & Frink, D. D. (2005). Development and validation of the political skill inventory. Journal of Management, 31(1), 126–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206304271386 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206304271386
Gawel, J. E. (1996). Herzberg's theory of motivation and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 5(1), Article e11. https://doi.org/10.7275/31qy-ea53
Goyal, R., Sharma, H., & Sharma, A. (2024). A thorough examination of organizations from an ethical viewpoint: A bibliometric and content analysis of organizational virtuousness studies. Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility, 33(1), 129–144. https://doi.org/10.1111/beer.12597 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/beer.12597
Hair, J.F., Sarstedt, M., Ringle, C.M. and Gudergan, S.P. (2018) Advanced issues in partial least squares structural equations modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3926/oss.37
Hayes, A. F. (2018). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis a regression-based approach. Guriford Press
Henseler, J., Hubona, G., & Ray, P. A. (2016). Using PLS path modeling in new technology research: updated guidelines. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 116(1), 2–20. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-09-2015-0382 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-09-2015-0382
Herzberg, F., Mausner, B., & Snydermann B. (1959). The motivation to work. Wiley.
Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44(3), 513–524. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.44.3.513 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.44.3.513
Jetten, J., Haslam, C., & Alexander, S. H. (2012). The social cure: Identity, health and well-being. Psychology Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203813195
Kahn, W. A. (1990). Psychological conditions of personal engagement and disengagement at work. Academy of Management Journal, 33(4), 692–724. https://doi.org/10.5465/256287 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/256287
Kipnis, D., Schmidt, S. M., & Wilkinson, I. (1980). Intraorganizational influence tactics: Explorations in getting one's way. Journal of Applied Psychology, 65(4), 440–452. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.65.4.440 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.65.4.440
Landells, E. M., & Albrecht, S. L. (2019). Perceived organizational politics, engagement, and stress: The mediating influence of meaningful work. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, Article e1612. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01612 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01612
Leiter, M. P., & Laschinger, H. K. S. (2006). Relationships of work and practice environment to professional burnout: testing a causal model. Nursing Research, 55(2), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006199-200603000-00009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00006199-200603000-00009
Li, H. T. (2023). Escalation of relationship conflict into work disengagement: uncovering mediation mechanisms. International Journal of Conflict Management, 34(1), 80–103. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-05-2021-0071 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-05-2021-0071
Liu, N. T., Chen, S. C., & Lee, W. C. (2022). How does moral identity promote employee voice behavior? The roles of work engagement and leader secure-base support. Ethics & Behavior, 32(5), 449–467. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2021.1923498 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2021.1923498
Luthans, F., & Youssef, C. M. (2007). Emerging positive organizational behavior. Journal of Management, 33(3), 321–349. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206307300814 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206307300814
Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2008). The truth about burnout: How organizations cause personal stress and what to do about it. John Wiley & Sons.
Meisler, G. (2024). Perceived organizational politics and undesirable work attitudes: Do hostility and emotional intelligence matter? Management Research Review, 47(5), 824–839. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-02-2023-0152 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-02-2023-0152
Molines, M., & Perrier, A. (2024). Managing my shame: Investigating the effects of organizational identity threat and public service motivation on exemplification. Public Administration Review, 84(4), 726–747. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13728 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13728
Murtaza, G., Roques, O., Talpur, Q. U. A., Khan, R., & Haq, I. U. (2024). Effects of perceived organisational politics and effort–reward imbalance on work outcomes–the moderating role of mindfulness. Personnel Review, 53(1), 76–98. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-09-2020-0706 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-09-2020-0706
Naseer, S., Raja, U., Syed, F., & Bouckenooghe, D. (2018). Combined effects of workplace bullying and perceived organizational support on employee behaviors: Does resource availability help? Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 31(6), 654–668. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2018.1521516 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2018.1521516
Nazir, S., Khadim, S., Asadullah, M. A., & Syed, N. (2024). The paradoxical effect of perceived organizational politics on employees motivation: The mediation role of hostility and moderating role of organizational injustice. In B. K. Joo, & I. Lee (Eds.), Evidence-based HRM: A global forum for empirical scholarship. Emerald Publishing Limited. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EBHRM-05-2022-0130
Nulty, D. D. (2008). The adequacy of response rates to online and paper surveys: What can be done? Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 33(3), 301–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930701293231 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930701293231
Olley, R. (2023). Hear me, see me, trust you–job burnout and disengagement of Australian aged care workers. Leadership in Health Services, 36(1), 111–124. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-07-2022-0080 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-07-2022-0080
Piccolo, R. F., & Colquitt, J. A. (2006). Transformational leadership and job behaviors: The mediating role of core job characteristics. Academy of Management journal, 49(2), 327–340. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2006.20786079 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2006.20786079
Premeaux, S. F., & Bedeian, A. G. (2003). Breaking the silence: The moderating effects of self‐monitoring in predicting speaking up in the workplace. Journal of Management Studies, 40(6), 1537–1562. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6486.00390 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6486.00390
Randel, A. E. (2023). Inclusion in the Workplace: A Review and Research Agenda. Group & Organization Management, Article e10596011231175578. https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011231175578 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011231175578
Riggle, R. J., Edmondson, D. R., & Hansen, J. D. (2009). A meta-analysis of the relationship between perceived organizational support and job outcomes: 20 years of research. Journal of Business Research, 62(10), 1027–1030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2008.05.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2008.05.003
Ripoll, R. R., Cuesta-Valiño, P., & Gutiérrez-Rodríguez, P. (2024). Guest editorial: Happiness and corporate social responsibility: the role of organizational culture and consumers in a sustainable economy. Management Decision, 62(2), 373–380. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-02-2024-216 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-02-2024-216
Saei, E., & Liu, Y. (2024). No news is not good news: The mediating role of job frustration in the perceptions of organizational politics and employee silence. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 60(3), 520–552. https://doi.org/10.1177/00218863221148785 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00218863221148785
Sarstedt, M., & Cheah, J. H. (2019). Partial least squares structural equation modeling using SmartPLS: A software review. Journal of Market Anal, 196–202 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41270-019-00058-3
Sawyer, K. B., Thoroughgood, C. N., Stillwell, E. E., Duffy, M. K., Scott, K. L., & Adair, E. A. (2022). Being present and thankful: A multi-study investigation of mindfulness, gratitude, and employee helping behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology, 107(2), 240–262. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000903
Spector, P. E. (2019). Do not cross me: Optimizing the use of cross-sectional designs. Journal of Business and Psychology, 34(2), 125–137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-018-09613-8
Spreitzer, G., Myers, C. G., Kopelman, S., & Mayer, D. M. (2021). The conceptual and empirical value of a positive lens: An invitation to organizational scholars to develop novel research questions. Academy of Management Perspectives, 35(3), 517–534. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2015.0056 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2015.0056
Tang, Y., Xu, E., Huang, X., & Pu, X. (2023). When can display of authenticity at work facilitate coworker interactions? The moderating effect of perception of organizational politics. Human Relations, 76(1), 27–52. https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267211031834 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267211031834
Taylor, F. W. (1911). The principles of scientific management. Harper Brothers.
Tremblay, M. (2024). The interplay between helping behavior and absenteeism in teams: A longitudinal examination of their reciprocal relationship in a public Organization. Public Personnel Management, Article e00910260241226947. https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011231175578 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00910260241226947
Virgolino, A. I., Coelho, A., & Ribeiro, N. (2023). The effects of perceived organizational justice and organizational support on employee performance. In E. Santos, N. Ribeiro, T. Eugénio (Eds.), Rethinking management and economics in the new 20’s: The 2022 centre of applied research in management and economics (carme) conference (pp. 405-418). Springer Nature Singapore. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-8485-3_17
Waldman, D. A., & Sparr, J. L. (2023). Rethinking diversity strategies: An application of paradox and positive organization behavior theories. Academy of Management Perspectives, 37(2), 174–192. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2021.0183 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2021.0183
Wayne, S. J., Shore, L. M., Bommer, W. H., & Tetrick, L. E. (2002). The role of fair treatment and rewards in perceptions of organizational support and leader-member exchange. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(3), 590–598. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.3.590 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.87.3.590
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Kamran Khan, Ather Mujitaba, Tanveer Aslam
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.