Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Perceptions of organizational context and job attitudes: The mediating effect of organizational identification

  • Published:
Asia Pacific Journal of Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Informed by social exchange theory and social identity theory, we developed a conceptual model that examines the mediating role of organizational identification in the relationship between employees’ perceptions of organizational context and their job attitudes. In our model, the antecedents include perceived organizational support (POS), procedural justice, and perceived job insecurity. The outcome variables consist of affective organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and intentions to leave. Our respondents were 591 workers employed in three different firms in China. The results of regression analyses showed that employees’ job attitudes are affected by their perceptions of organizational context and organizational identification. Further, organizational identification was found to mediate the effects of POS on the outcome variables.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahlstrom, D. 2012. On the types of papers the Asia Pacific Journal of Management generally publishes. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 29(1): 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Albert, S., Ashforth, B. E., & Dutton, J. E. 2000. Organizational identity and identification: Charting new waters and building new bridges. Academy of Management Review, 25: 13–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, N. J., & Meyer, J. P. 1990. The measurement and antecedents of affective, continuance, and normative commitment to the organization. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 63: 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong-Stassen, M., & Ursel, N. D. 2009. Perceived organizational support, career satisfaction, and the retention of older workers. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 82: 201–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashford, S. J., Lee, C., & Bobko, P. 1989. Content, causes, and consequences of job insecurity: A theory-based measure and substantive test. Academy of Management Journal, 32: 803–829.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashforth, B. E., Harrison, S. H., & Corley, K. G. 2008. Identification in organizations: An examination of four fundamental questions. Journal of Management, 34: 325–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashforth, B. E., & Mael, F. 1989. Social identity theory and the organization. Academy of Management Review, 14: 20–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. 1986. The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychology research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51: 1173–1183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baruch, Y., & Cohen, A. 2007. The dynamics between organizational commitment and professional identity formation at work. In A. Brown, S. Kirpal & F. Rauner (Eds.). Identities at work: 241–260. Germany: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bhagat, R. S., McDevitt, A. S., & McDevitt, I. 2010. On improving the robustness of Asian management theories: Theoretical anchors in the era of globalization. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 27(2): 179–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blau, P. M. 1964. Exchange and power in social life. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chreim, S. 2002. Influencing organizational identification during major change: A communication-based perspective. Human Relations, 55: 1117–1137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, A. 2007. Commitment before and after: An evaluation of reconceptualization of organizational commitment. Human Resource Management Review, 17: 336–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen-Charash, Y., & Spector, P. E. 2001. The role of justice in organizations: A meta-analysis. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 86: 278–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colquitt, J. A., Conlon, D. E., Wesson, M. J., Porter, C. O. L. H., & Ng, K. Y. 2001. Justice at the millennium: A meta-analytic review of 24 years of organizational justice research. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86: 425–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cropanzano, R., & Mitchell, M. S. 2005. Social exchange theory: An interdisciplinary review. Journal of Management, 31: 874–900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuyper, N. D., & Witte, H. D. 2006. The impact of job insecurity and contract type on attitudes, well-being and behavioral contract perspective. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 79: 395–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeWitt, R. L., Trevino, L. K., & Mollica, K. A. 1998. The influence of eligibility on employees’ reactions to voluntary workforce reductions. Journal of Management, 24: 593–613.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutton, J. E., Dukerich, J. M., & Harquail, C. V. 1994. Organizational image and member identification. Administrative Science Quarterly, 39: 239–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, M. R. 2009. HR, perceived organizational support and organizational identification: An analysis after organizational formation. Human Resource Management Journal, 19: 91–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberger, R., Cummings, J., Armeli, S., & Lynch, P. 1997. Perceived organizational support, discretionary treatment, and job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82: 812–820.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberger, R., Fasolo, P., & Davis-LaMastro, V. 1990. Perceived organizational support and employee diligence, commitment, and innovation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 71: 51–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberger, R., Huntington, R., Hutchison, S., & Sowa, D. 1986. Perceived organizational support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 71: 500–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erdogan, B., Kraimer, M. L., & Liden, R. C. 2004. Work value congruence and intrinsic career success: The compensatory role of leader-member exchange and perceived organizational support. Personnel Psychology, 57: 305–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fasolo, P. M. 1995. Procedural justice and perceived organizational support: Hypothesized effects on job performance. In R. S. Cropanzano & K. M. Kacmar (Eds.). Organizational politics, justice, and support: Managing social climate at work: 185–195. Westport, CT: Quorum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foley, S., Ngo, H.-Y., & Loi, R. 2006. How do cultural types affect work-related attitudes? The mediating role of perceived organizational support. International Journal of Employment Studies, 14: 37–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foley, S., Ngo, H.-Y., & Wong, A. 2005. Perceptions of discrimination and justice: Are there gender differences in outcomes?. Group and Organizational Management, 30: 421–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenhalgh, L., & Rosenblatt, Z. 1984. Job insecurity: Toward conceptual clarity. Academy of Management Review, 9: 438–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haslam, S. A. 2004. Psychology in organizations: The social identity approach, 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, J. I., & Frink, D. D. 1996. The effects of organizational restructure on employee satisfaction. Group and Organization Management, 21: 278–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johns, G. 2006. The essential impact of context on organizational behavior. Academy of Management Review, 31: 396–408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. 1998. Procedural justice, strategic decision making, and the knowledge economy. Strategic Management Journal, 19: 323–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kraimer, M. L., Wayne, S. J., Liden, R. C., & Sparrowe, R. T. 2005. The role of job security in understanding the relationship between employees’ perceptions of temporary workers and employees’ performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90: 389–398.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, C., Bobko, P., & Chen, Z. X. 2006. Investigation of the multinational model of job insecurity in China and the USA. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 55: 512–540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., Ahlstrom, D., & Ashkanasy, N. 2010. A multilevel model of affect and organizational commitment. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 27(2): 193–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lind, E. A., & Tyler, T. R. 1998. The social psychology of procedural justice. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipponen, J., Olkkonen, M. E., & Moilanen, M. 2004. Perceived procedural justice and employee responses to an organizational merger. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 13: 391–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Locke, E. A. 1976. The nature and causes of job satisfaction. In M. D. Dunnette (Ed.). Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology: 1297–1349. Chicago: Rand McNally.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loi, R., & Ngo, H.-Y. 2010. Mobility norms, risk aversion, and career satisfaction of Chinese employees. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 27(2): 237–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loi, R., Ngo, H.-Y., & Foley, S. 2006. Linking employees’ justice perceptions to organizational commitment and intentions to leave: The mediating role of perceived organizational support. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 79: 101–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mael, F., & Ashforth, B. E. 1992. Alumni and their alma mater: A partial test of the reformulated model of organizational identification. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 13: 103–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masterson, S. S., Lewis, K., Goldman, B. M., & Taylor, M. S. 2000. Integrating justice and social exchange: The differing effects of fair procedures and treatment on work relationships. Academy of Management Journal, 43: 738–748.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J. P., & Allen, N. J. 1997. Commitment in the workplace: Theory, research, and application. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moorman, R. H. 1991. Relationship between organizational justice and organizational citizenship behaviors: Do fairness perceptions influence employee citizenship?. Journal of Applied Psychology, 76: 845–855.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oldham, G. R., Julik, C. T., Ambrose, M. L., Stepine, L. P., & Brand, J. F. 1986. Relations between job facet comparisons and employee relations. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 38: 28–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olkkonen, M., & Lipponen, J. 2006. Relationships between organizational justice, identification with organization and work unit, and group-related outcomes. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 100: 202–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, M. G. 1998. To be or not to be? central questions in organizational identification. In D. A. Whetten & P. C. Godfrey (Eds.). Identify in organizations: Building theory through conversations: 171–207. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Price, J. L., & Mueller, C. W. 1981. Professional turnover: The case of nurses. New York: Spectrum.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Probst, T. M. 2003. Development and validation of the job security index and the job security satisfaction scale: A classical test theory and IRT approach. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 76: 451–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randall, C. S., & Mueller, C. W. 1995. Extensions of justice theory: Justice evaluations and employee’s reactions in a natural setting. Social Psychology Quarterly, 58: 178–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reisel, W. D., Chia, S., Maloles, C. M., III, & Slocum, J. W., Jr. 2007. The effects of job insecurity on satisfaction and perceived organizational performance. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, 14: 106–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Restubog, S. L. D., Hornsey, M. J., Bordia, P., & Esposo, S. R. 2008. Effects of psychological contract breach on organizational citizenship behaviour: Insights from the group value model. Journal of Management Studies, 45: 1377–1400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhoades, L., & Eisenberger, R. 2002. Perceived organizational support: A review of literature. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87: 698–714.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riketta, M. 2005. Organizational identification: A meta-analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 66: 358–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, C. C., Chang, C., Johnson, R. E., & Levy, P. E. 2009. Perceptions of the organizational context and psychological contract breach: Assessing competing perspectives. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 108: 202–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosin, H. M., & Korabik, K. 1991. Workplace variables, affective responses, and intention to leave among women managers. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 64: 317–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rousseau, D. M. 1995. Psychological contracts in organizations: Understanding written and unwritten agreements. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rousseau, D. M. 1998. The ‘problem’ of the psychological contract considered. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 19: 665–671.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shore, L. M., & Tetrick, T. 1994. The psychological contract as an explanatory framework in the employment relationship. In C. Cooper & D. Rousseau (Eds.). Trends in organizational behavior: 91–109. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shore, L. M., Tetrick, L. E., Lynch, P., & Barksdale, K. 2006. Social and economic exchange: Construct development and validation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36: 836–867.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shore, L. M., & Wayne, S. J. 1993. Commitment and employee behavior: Comparison of affective commitment and continuance commitment with perceived organizational support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78: 774–780.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sluss, D. M., & Ashforth, B. E. 2008. How relational and organizational identification converge: Processes and conditions. Organization Science, 19: 807–823.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stamper, C. L., & Masterson, S. S. 2002. Insider or outsider? how employee perceptions of insider status affect their work behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23: 875–894.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staufenbiel, T., & König, C. 2010. A model for the effects of job insecurity on performance, turnover intention, and absenteeism. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 83: 101–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sverke, M., Hellgren, J., & Näswall, K. 2002. No security: A meta-analysis and review of job insecurity and its consequences. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 3: 242–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tett, R. P., & Meyer, J. P. 1993. Job satisfaction, organizational commitment, turnover intention, and turnover: Path analyses based on meta-analytic findings. Personnel Psychology, 46: 259–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, T. R. 1989. The psychology of procedural justice: A test of the group value model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57: 830–838.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, T. R. 1999. Why people cooperate with organizations: An identity-based perspective. In R. I. Sutton & B. M. Staw (Eds.). Research in organizational behavior: 201–247. Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, T. R., & Blader, S. L. 2000. Cooperation in groups: Procedural justice, social identity and behavioral engagement. Philadelphia: Psychology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, T. R., Degoey, P., & Smith, H. 1996. Understanding why the justice of group procedures matter: A test of the psychological dynamics of the group-value model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70: 913–930.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Dick, R. 2004. My job is my castle: Identification in organizational contexts. International Review of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 19: 171–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vora, D., & Kostova, T. 2007. A model of dual organizational identification in the context of the multinational enterprise. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 28: 327–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., Bishop, J. W., Chen, X., & Scott, K. D. 2002. Collectivist orientation as a predictor of affective organizational commitment: A study conducted in China. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 10: 226–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiensenfeld, B. M., Raghuram, S., & Garud, R. 2001. Organizational identification among virtual workers: The role of need for affiliation and perceived work-based social support. Journal of Management, 27: 213–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, Y.-T., Ngo, H.-Y., & Wong, C.-S. 2003. Antecedents and outcomes of employees’ trust in Chinese joint ventures. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 20(4): 481–499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, Y.-T., Wong, C.-S., Ngo, H.-Y., & Lui, H.-K. 2005. Different responses to job insecurity of Chinese workers in joint ventures and state-owned enterprises. Human Relations, 58: 1391–1481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong

    Hang-yue Ngo & Lingqing Zhang

  2. Faculty of Business Administration, University of Macau, Macau, China

    Raymond Loi

  3. School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

    Sharon Foley & Xiaoming Zheng

Authors
  1. Hang-yue Ngo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Raymond Loi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sharon Foley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiaoming Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lingqing Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hang-yue Ngo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ngo, Hy., Loi, R., Foley, S. et al. Perceptions of organizational context and job attitudes: The mediating effect of organizational identification. Asia Pac J Manag 30, 149–168 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-012-9289-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-012-9289-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation