Interactive effects of absence culture salience and group cohesiveness: A multi‐level and cross‐level analysis of work absenteeism in the Chinese context

Abstract

This study examined the interactive effects of group cohesiveness and absence culture salience on absence proposed by Johns and Nicholson (1982). It was hypothesized that group cohesiveness and absence culture salience would be negatively related to work‐group absence. Emphasis was placed on the interactive effects of cohesiveness and cultural salience on work‐group absence rate and employee self‐reported absence. In addition, the potential mediating effect of group absence norms was explored. Survey responses were collected from 800 employees in a state‐owned manufacturing enterprise in the People's Republic of China. Aggregate measures of salience and cohesiveness each had a negative relationship with work‐group absenteeism. Consistent support for the interactive effects of cohesiveness and salience was provided by group, individual, and cross‐level analyses. Group absence norms mediated the effects of cohesiveness, cultural salience, and their interaction on self‐reported absenteeism.