“Doing it for my family”: examining when and how family motivation hinders creativity of hospitality employees by shaping job-perception

Abstract

PurposeThis study explores the relationship between family motivation and employee creativity. It examines the way family motivation shapes employees' job perceptions, specifically examining the mediating roles of job instrumentality and job meaningfulness detachment. Additionally, the study explores the moderating effect of family financial pressure.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected in three waves over six months from 382 employees in the Turkish hospitality industry. The Warp PLS 7.0 software was utilized for data analysis using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results indicate that family motivation significantly influences job instrumentality and job meaningfulness detachment, which subsequently reduce employee creativity. Moreover, family financial pressure moderates the relationship between family motivation and job perception, thereby amplifying its effects.Research limitations/implicationsThis study highlights that organizations should minimize ambiguity and complexity, create a psychologically safe environment, align incentives with creativity, address conflicts between short-term gains and long-term projects and support work-life balance in the hospitality industry. This can enhance employee creativity, satisfaction and retention.Originality/valueThis study is an early attempt to investigate when and how family motivation (re)shapes hospitality workers’ job perceptions and influences their propensity to engage in creative endeavors.