Perceived Strengths-Based Human Resource System and Thriving at Work: The Roles of General Self-Esteem and Emotional Exhaustion

Abstract

Although extant literature has highlighted the importance of human resource system to thriving at work, we have yet to know whether perceived strengths-based human resource (HR) system has a significant relationship with employee thriving at work. Drawing upon conservation of resources theory, the current study sought to investigate the relationship of perceived strengths-based HR system with employee thriving at work and the mediating role of general self-esteem and the moderating role of emotional exhaustion in this relationship. Research data were gathered at three points in time from employees working in various organizations in China. Results of structural equation modeling analyses demonstrated that perceived strengths-based HR system is positively related to thriving at work even after controlling for perceived high performance work system, and general self-esteem partially mediates the positive relationship of perceived strengths-based HR system with thriving at work. In addition, emotional exhaustion negatively moderated the direct relationship of general self-esteem with thriving and the indirect relationship of perceived strengths-based HR system with thriving at work through general self-esteem. The current study is the first to empirically investigate the perceived strengths-based HR system and thriving at work linkage, which advances HR system and thriving at work theories and research.