Thriving Under Uncertainty: The Effect of Achievement Goal Orientation on Job Insecurity and Flourishing

Marise Born,Gera Noordzij,Arjan Van Dam

doi:10.1007/s11205-020-02337-4

Marise Born, Gera Noordzij + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-020-02337-4

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Abstract

Flourishing, a construct encompassing optimal human functioning, is an indicator of well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the direct and indirect effects of employees’ achievement goal orientation (mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance, performance-approach and performance-avoidance goal orientation) on flourishing, through the appraisal of quantitative (concerns about continued existence of the job) and qualitative (concerns about continued existence of important job features) job insecurity. Data were collected from 275 employees in an organization on the brink of a substantive downsizing. The results of structural equation modelling showed that mastery approach and—avoidance goal orientation positively predicted flourishing. Furthermore, flourishing was negatively predicted by qualitative job insecurity but not by quantitative job insecurity. Qualitative job insecurity mediated the effects of mastery- and performance-approach goal orientation on flourishing but the effects were not significant. Hence, in an environment with a substantial threat of job loss, a mastery goal orientation contributed directly to flourishing. Our results plead for more attention for the effects of achievement goal orientation and qualitative job insecurity on flourishing under uncertainty.

Highlights

Job insecurity is associated with negative well-being, and seems to be a cause of it and as such is viewed as a threat to well-being (e.g., De Witte et al 2016)
In addition to the uncertainty about the continuity of their job, employees are facing changes in their work that can lead to uncertainty about the quality of their job (Hellgren et al 1999)
The present study examines the effects of achievement goal orientation (AGO) on flourishing and proposes that this effect is mediated by the appraisal of quantitative and qualitative job insecurity

Summary

Introduction

Job insecurity is associated with negative well-being, and seems to be a cause of it and as such is viewed as a threat to well-being (e.g., De Witte et al 2016). During their working life almost all employees are, at a certain moment, confronted with the specific adversity of uncertainty of the future of their job and job insecurity seems to have become reality for a vast number of employees (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 1997). In addition to the uncertainty about the continuity of their job (quantitative job insecurity), employees are facing changes in their work that can lead to uncertainty about the quality (e.g., stimulating job content or pay development) of their job (qualitative job insecurity) (Hellgren et al 1999)

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