Neuroticism and job outcomes: Mediating effects of perceived organizational politics

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediated link of perception of organizational politics (POP) between neuroticism and intent to leave; job stress. In this cross sectional field survey, the data was collected from 212 employees of various public and private sector organizations of Pakistan. The results revealed that perception of politics fully mediated between neuroticism and intent to leave. In addition, POP partially mediated the relationship between neuroticism and job stress. Previous studies recommended investigating the mechanism through which Big Five personalities are linked to outcomes. Perception of organizational politics is the phenomenon which prevails in every organization, the results of this study showed that neuroticism is linked to intent to leave and job stress via perception of organization politics. Knowledge and evidence of this research will help managers in recruitment, selection, motivation, training and development of employees. This study will also help organizational development practitioners to understand and overcome the employee stress and intent to leave phenomenon. This is one of the early studies exploring the mediation of perceived organizational politics between Big Five and job outcomes such as intent to leave and job stress. The developing country context of this study makes it considerable in the literature of organizational behavior and psychology. Key words: Neuroticism, perception of politics, job stress, intent to leave, Big Five, Pakistan.