Perceived organizational support and well‐being of tour guides: The mediating effects of quality of work life

Abstract

AbstractThe reciprocity norm theory suggests that individuals develop a sense of obligation and indebtedness to reciprocate the favorable treatment they receive. Rooted in the notion of reciprocity norm, organizational support is regarded as essential for organizations to maintain long‐term relationships with their employees. Despite an established academic discussion on organizational support and its outcomes in behavioral and applied psychology research, a comprehensive understanding of its role in enhancing employees' well‐being is surprisingly limited in the field of tourism. Drawing on the organizational support theory and theoretical conceptualizations on well‐being, the present study proposes a conceptual model linking perceived organizational support (POS) with quality of work life, life satisfaction, and burnout. Using data from 301 tour guides, the results show that POS enhances tour guides' quality of work life and reduces their levels of burnout. The findings also show that while POS does not have a direct effect on life satisfaction, this effect emerges mediated by the quality of work life. As predicted, quality of work life was found as a key antecedent of life satisfaction. The current study highlights the role of POS in enhancing the well‐being of tour guides and shows how well‐being at the workplace is associated with well‐being in life.