A Social Embeddedness Perspective on Turnover Intention: The Role of Informal Networks and Social Identity Evidence From South Korea

Abstract

This study examines turnover intention through a social embeddedness perspective proposing that turnover intention may be a function of the degree to which an organization’s members are attached to one another in terms of relational ties and emotional bonds. Drawing on network theory and social identity theory, it was hypothesized that peripheral positions in informal networks (solidarity ties and instrumental ties) and marginal identity in the workplace may influence higher turnover intention. Sequential mixed methods design was utilized to explore the context-specific bases upon which informal networks and social identities can form and to test the generality of the link between the explored bases and turnover intention against larger samples using Ordered Logistic Model. The results showed that (a) peripherally positioned individuals in informal networks will likely have high turnover intention and (b) individuals with marginal identity in the workplace will likely have high turnover intention. The study results suggest that the social factors accrued from informal networks and social identities deserve enhanced attention in both theorization and personnel management.