Assessing the Antecedents of Work Performance among Health Care Practitioners: Testing a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling Sequential Model

Abstract

Work performance (WP) in the healthcare sector has hither to remained an underexplored area of research. Despite the fact that the implications of WP in the healthcare sector context are far more expensive for both doctors and hospitals, the predictors of WP among the healthcare practitioners appear to have contextual nuances. One of the significant factors and increasing vulnerabilities of the healthcare sector is work-life balance (WLB). However, it is futile to study WLB in isolation, the literature suggests that positive psychological capital (PPC) triggers WLB. Moreover, WLB also assists in enhancing vitality at work that in turn improves WP. Therefore, this study intends to examine the sequential mediation of WLB and vitality at work between the relationship of positive psychological capital and WP. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 80 hospitals in the province of Punjab. The stratified sampling design was employed to select a sample from the population. Out of 80, a total of 53 hospitals were consented to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1100 doctors with a response rate of 83%. The sequential model was tested by applying Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling 3.2. Results: The sequential model proved significant with a partial mediation of work life balance and vitality at work between the relationship of positive psychological capital and work performance. Conclusion: The study provides recommendations to the policy makers to invest time and resources for nurturing the psychological and attitudinal behaviors of the healthcare practitioners that could ultimately enhance their WP.