Moderated Mediation Approach Research Articles

Examining the dark side of quality management: analysing work overload, exhaustion and managerial support using a moderated mediation approach

PurposeIn this study, we propose a model for analysing the association between total quality management (TQM) and exhaustion, which considers work overload as a mediation variable and investigates perceptions of managerial support as a moderating condition. Through the job demands–resources model, the study sheds light on the dilemma about the negative implications of TQM for employees.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed model of relationships is analysed using matched employee–organisation survey data from two R&D-intensive sectors in Spain. Structural equation models are employed to examine the proposed relationships.FindingsOnly perceptions of hard TQM trigger a health-impairment process which increases work overload and exhaustion, whereas soft TQM decreases exhaustion and does not have negative consequences for employee well-being. We also find that managerial support can alleviate the consequences of hard TQM on exhaustion due to work overload.Originality/valuePrevious research has mainly assumed that TQM is welcomed by employees. With the aim of warning of the potential negative consequences of TQM on employees, this paper goes beyond previous contributions by analysing how hard and soft TQM may have different consequences on employees’ exhaustion and how managerial support may mitigate the negative repercussions.

The impact of information privacy concerns on information systems use behaviors in non-volitional surveillance contexts: A moderated mediation approach

The impact of information privacy concerns on information systems use behaviors in non-volitional surveillance contexts: A moderated mediation approach

Parental emotional support, self-efficacy, and mental health problems among adolescents in Hong Kong: a moderated mediation approach.

Early signs of mental health issues may develop into severe mental illnesses over time. The influence of parental emotional support on adolescent mental health problems is well acknowledged. However, prior research has predominantly focused on psychological symptoms, often neglecting the somatic symptoms associated with mental health. Additionally, there has been insufficient exploration of the mediating role of self-efficacy and the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and adolescent mental health, particularly within the context of Hong Kong. Using data from 3,613 adolescents aged 15 years from 109 schools in Hong Kong who participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment 2018, this study explored the relationship between parental emotional support and two dimensions of adolescent mental health symptoms (psychological and somatic symptoms), and the mediating effect of self-efficacy and the moderating role of SES. We found that parental emotional support significantly reduced psychological and somatic symptoms, primarily by enhancing self-efficacy. MoreovSES moderated these relationships, with the impact of parental emotional support on psychological symptoms being more pronounced among adolescents from lower SES backgrounds. This study deepens the understanding of the mechanisms underlying adolescent mental health in Hong Kong. By highlighting the importance of parental emotional support and self-efficacy, as well as the moderating effect of SES, the findings offer valuable insights for effective interventions aimed at improving adolescent mental health.

Artificial intelligence and smart decision making in smart cities: a parallel moderated mediation approach

ABSTRACT The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) for decision-making in smart cities has ignited serious debates on the positive aspects and potential harms of AI in smart cities. However, research on this subject is yet to be comprehensive. While previous studies have examined the direct link between AI and smart decision-making (SDM), extant results remain unclear. Thus, using social cognitive theory and integrated fear acquisition theory, the current research examines the direct impact of AI on SDM by introducing work-life interface and lack of transparency anxiety as mediators. The study also examines the moderating role of support orientation. We rely on cross-sectional data collected from citizens of Turkey to examine the relationships. The study’s research framework was validated using 433 valid samples collected from Turkish citizens through a simple random sampling method. The findings indicate that AI has a positive impact on SDM. AI has a positive impact on work-life interface. Work life interface has a positive impact on SDM. AI has a positive impact on lack of transparency anxiety. Lack of transparency anxiety has a negative impact on SDM. Both work-life interface and lack of transparency anxiety were discovered to be effective mediators between the use of AI and SDM. The positive impact of AI on work-life interface is further enhanced at high level of support orientation. The positive impact of AI on SDM is further enhanced at high level of support orientation. The findings offer useful guides for making well-informed decisions and executing policies that are beneficial for all in smart cities.

A moderated mediation approach to deciphering the effects of leader knowledge hiding behaviour in industry 4.0

ABSTRACT Leader knowledge-hiding behaviour (LKHB) has long-term adverse effects on employees and on overall organization performance. Top-down knowledge sharing is vital in Industry 4.0 for employees to acquire essential skills. Grounded in the Conservation of Resources (COR) model, our study presents a moderated mediation model that sheds light on the effects of LKHB. Based on longitudinal data, we found that LKHB leads to job performance decrement and enhances turnover intentions, with LKHB resulting in lower employee intrinsic motivation, underscoring its importance of as a mediating factor. Our findings support the significant influence of enterprise social media (ESM) on the relationship between LKHB and job performance decrement, turnover intentions, and employee phubbing through intrinsic motivation. The study offers new insights into LKHB outcomes and explores underlying reasons thereby broadening COR Theory applications. This research is innovative in its examination of ESM influences on LKHB and suggests strategies to mitigate its detrimental effects.

Understanding underdog brand positioning effects among emerging market consumers: a moderated mediation approach

Purpose This study aims to explore the underdog brand biography dimensions that emerging-country consumers identify with (Study 1) and attempts to uncover the effects of these dimensions on brand affinity and purchase intention moderated by self-identity and brand trust (Study 2). Design/methodology/approach Study 1, using data from 359 young Indians, reveals three underlying dimensions integral to underdog brand biography in emerging markets. Study 2 uses an experimental setup with a single-factorial design among 332 young Mexican consumers to investigate the direct effects of three identified underdog brand biography dimensions on purchase intention, mediated by brand affinity and moderated by consumer self-identity and brand trust. Findings Study 1 reveals three dimensions underlying underdog brand biographies: unfavorable circumstances, striving in adversities and passion, and persistent will to succeed. Study 2 reveals that consumers with higher self-identity demonstrate greater purchase intentions for an underdog brand than a top dog one. Practical implications The results indicate that marketers can successfully use underdog narratives to influence consumer decision-making, thereby increasing brand affinity and purchase intention. Originality/value This study delineates the link between different dimensions of underdog brand biographies with brand affinity and purchase intention in emerging countries and builds on the understanding of the moderating role played by self-identity and brand trust.

Does psychological capital alleviate work overload-induced work exhaustion and burnout among teleworkers? A moderated-mediation approach

Purpose This study aims to investigate how work overload, resulting from full-time telecommuting, aggravates telecommuting accounting professionals’ burnout via the mediation of work exhaustion. Further, the study also tests the conditional moderation effect of psychological capital on the association between work exhaustion and burnout, proposing that it becomes least severe for employees who perceive a high level of psychological capital. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted using a sample of 322 employees from Big Four accounting firms, and the measurement model was established using confirmatory factor analysis. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling and model-14 in the PROCESS Macro for SPSS. Findings The results confirmed that work overload directly and indirectly (via the mediation of work exhaustion) aggravates employees’ burnout. However, psychological capital negatively conditions the mediating effect of work exhaustion on burnout such that the aggravating effect of work overload on burnout, via the mediation of work exhaustion, gets least severe (insignificant) for those employees who perceive a high level of psychological capital. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature on work overload-induced “work exhaustion burnout” association and offers suggestions for implications.

Service failure and negative Word-of-Mouth in Chinese retail banking: a moderated-mediation approach

Service failure and negative Word-of-Mouth in Chinese retail banking: a moderated-mediation approach

Going Underground: How Perceived High-Performance Work Systems Influence Bootlegging Behavior? A Multi-Level Moderated Mediation Approach.

This study applies the social information processing theory to investigate how perceived high-performance work systems (HPWS) influence bootlegging behavior. Additionally, it explores the potential mediating role of willingness to take risks and creative self-efficacy in the association between perceived HPWS and bootlegging behavior. In addition, this study examines how human resource management (HRM) system strength acts as a cross-level moderator in the connection between perceived HPWS and willingness to take risks and creative self-efficacy. Based on a sample of 399 respondents from 80 firms, the results indicate a positive connection between perceived HPWS and bootlegging behavior. Moreover, the results reveal that willingness to take risks and creative self-efficacy mediate the connection between perceived HPWS and bootlegging behavior. Findings also reveal that cross-level HRM system strength moderates the influence of perceived HPWS on willingness to take risks and creative self-efficacy. The study also highlights its theoretical contributions and practical implications and proposes avenues for future research.

Influence of customer contact employees (CCEs) competencies on their service recovery performance: a moderated-mediation approach

Purpose This study aims to explore the influence of customer contact employees (CCEs) competencies (social, emotional and professional) on their service recovery performance (SRP) with mediation effect of internal marketing and moderation effect of industry/sector. Design/methodology/approach This study used survey-based dyads of 210 CCEs and their managers/supervisors in three service sectors (hotel and hospitality, automobile service centers and organized retail stores). Repeated-measures analysis of variance, confirmatory factor analysis and PROCESS macro of Hayes (2013) was used to assess reliability, validity and to test mediation, moderation and moderated-mediation. Findings CCEs competencies influenced SRP. The relationship between CCEs competencies and SRP was mediated by internal marketing. The industry/sector was found to be a significant moderator between the internal marketing and SRP. Additionally, a significant moderated-mediation effect was found between CCEs competencies and SRP. Research limitations/implications Longitudinal studies could be particularly helpful to evaluate the impact of internal marketing on SRP. The future researcher may benefit from replicating and extending the model in different industries or can study other factors as mediators or moderators for further contribution to the SRP literature. Practical implications Firms striving for consumer retention and aiming to extend their consumer life cycle can greatly benefit from the results of this study to provide effective SRP. The study also suggests that policymakers and management should adopt properly designed and well-articulated human resource management practices for excellence in SRP in their organizations. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no study in the past which has addressed employee and organizational factors with the dyadic sample. In addition, it has used a moderated-mediation model in the context of SRP and also contributes to the extant literature by researching in a non-Western setting like India.

To save the environment is my moral duty: investigating young consumer’s green purchase behaviour with moderated mediation approach

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the role of ethical obligation and environmental concern in young consumers’ green purchase behaviour using Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behaviour as underpinning theoretical model.Design/methodology/approachData collected from 253 college students of a major higher education institution in Northern India were analysed by using structural equation modelling and moderated mediation analysis in AMOS 22.0 and SPSS 20.0.FindingsInvestigating why environmental concern does not significantly translate into green purchase intention, the study demonstrates that the effect of environmental concern was mediated through attitude and ethical obligation. In addition, the study also found that the effect of environmental concern on attitude was positively moderated by ethical obligation. Moreover, subjective norms were found to exhibit no direct effect on green purchase intention; rather, this effect was indirect and mediated through attitude and perceived behavioural control. The results of moderated mediation analysis further demonstrated that the indirect effect of subjective norms on green purchase intention through attitude was found conditional on the values of perceived behavioural control.Originality/valueThe study offers a valuable contribution by signifying the moderating role of ethical obligation in green purchase behaviour. It also contributes to the existing knowledge by assessing the conditional indirect effect of subjective norms on green purchase intention which is rarely examined in the literature.

Unveiling the protective role of school engagement: Mitigating cyberbullying perpetration through mastery and student-student relationship

Numerous studies have established that school engagement plays a pivotal role in mitigating adolescent violence. However, its relationship with cyberbullying is not well-defined, and the underlying mechanisms have not been thoroughly explored. To fill the gap, this study adopted the moderated mediation approach and sought to examine: a) the association between school engagement and cyberbullying; b) the potential mediating effects of mastery on that association; and c) the potential moderating effects of student–student relationship in the above mechanisms, based on a sample of 1103 adolescents (52.5 % female, aged from 12 to 18 years) in middle and high schools of urban China. Results indicated that adolescents with high school engagement tend to have a decreased possibility of cyberbullying involvement. Mastery, as a proxy of effective coping experience, mediated the association between school engagement and cyberbullying perpetration. Considering that peer relationships may significantly alter the impact of school engagement and mastery on cyberbullying perpetration, this study also identified student–student relationship as a central moderator in moderating the association between school engagement and cyberbullying as well as the association between mastery and cyberbullying. These findings can help understand the complex dynamics between school engagement and cyberbullying, suggesting directions for future interventions.

Linking green entrepreneurial orientation and ambidextrous green innovation to stimulate green performance: a moderated mediation approach

PurposeIn view of the significance of intangible organizational resources and firm sustainability, this study investigates the mediating role of ambidextrous green innovation and the moderating effects of resource orchestration capability in the relationship between green entrepreneurial orientation and green performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research employed a quantitative analysis technique using hierarchical linear regression and a moderated mediation approach on a sample of 409 managers from UAE manufacturing firms to investigate the proposed relationships among the variables.FindingsThe research results show that a firm’s green performance is influenced by its green entrepreneurial orientation. Green innovation, both exploratory and exploitative, mediates the link between green entrepreneurial orientation and green performance. Moreover, the association between green entrepreneurial orientation and exploitative green innovation, as well as between exploitative green innovation and a firm's green performance, is strengthened by resource orchestration capability. The findings of the moderated mediation show that when resource orchestration capacity is high, exploitative green innovation has a greater mediating effect on green entrepreneurial orientation and green performance.Practical implicationsThis study provides valuable insights for manufacturing firms to achieve sustainable performance and reduce their environmental impact. Firms should adopt proactive environmental strategies and innovative approaches to achieve sustainable green performance by adopting green entrepreneurship and establishing ambidextrous green innovation.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on GEO, ambidextrous green innovation, resource orchestration capability, and green performance. These results provide insight into fostering green innovation in the manufacturing industry, deepen the theoretical foundation for green entrepreneurship, and advance the field of green entrepreneurship study.

Modelling the role of perceived marketplace influence and moral norms in organic food consumption: a moderated mediation approach

PurposeThe study seeks to explore why despite growing concern for the environment, consumers’ intention to purchase organic foods remains relatively low. In addition, the study also seeks to investigate the role of perceived marketplace influence (PMI) and moral norms in organic food consumption.Design/methodology/approachData collected from 330 young consumers chosen with non-probability sampling were analysed using structural equation modelling in Amos 22.0.FindingsThe results of the parallel mediation analysis confirmed that environmental concern influences purchase intention indirectly through attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and perceived marketplace influence. In addition, moral norms were found to moderate the effect of perceived behavioural control on purchase intention. Moreover, the results also indicated that the impact of environmental concern on consumers’ attitude toward organic foods was also moderated by moral norms. Further, the results of moderated mediation showed that the indirect effect of environmental concern on purchase intention (through attitude and perceived behavioural control) was moderated by moral norms.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contributes to the existing literature by investigating the inconsistency between environmental concern and purchase intention. In addition, the study also investigate role of perceived marketplace influence and moral norms in stimulating organic food consumption intentions.Practical implicationsThe emergence of perceived marketplace influence as an important determinant of organic food consumption shows that every individual needs to realise the importance of their environment friendly actions to promote organic food consumption. In addition, the study also highlights the pivotal role of moral norms in the promotion of organic food consumption. Thus, markets, policy-makers, family, friends, society all should promote and inculcate the spirit of contributing in the cause of safeguarding the environment to the young children specially by promoting consumption of organic foods.Originality/valueThe study examines the role of perceived marketplace influence as predictor of purchase intention towards organic foods which is rarely explored specially in the domain of organic food consumption. In addition, the results also produced some novel insights into the moderating role of moral norms.

Problem Gambling and Suicidal Behaviours in Young Adult men in Ghana: A Moderated Mediation Model of Psychological Distress and Social Support : Journal of Gambling Studies.

Problem gambling has been recognised as an important public health issue because of its harmful consequences at the personal, interpersonal, and societal levels. There is a proliferation of gambling activities in Ghana owing to increased access to the internet, soaring smartphone penetration, and an influx of sports betting companies. Yet, very little research has addressed the harm associated with problem gambling in Ghana. This study assessed if the effect of problem gambling severity on suicidal behaviours (ideation, planning, and attempts) through psychological distress is contingent on the level of perceived social support. A total of 350 young adult men in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana provided the data for the current analysis. The data were analysed using a moderated mediation approach. The results showed that psychological distress is an important intervening mechanism through which problem gambling severity influences suicidality. In addition, the positive association between psychological distress and suicidal behaviours was found to be conditional on the levels of perceived social support. In other words, our results showed that problem gambling may first trigger episodes of psychological distress, which, in turn, can lead to suicidality among problem gamblers who report low to moderate levels of perceived social support. Our findings suggest that young adult problem gamblers require higher levels of social support from family, friends, and significant others to prevent those experiencing psychological distress from engaging in suicidal behaviours.

Social Media Marketing Activities, Brand Community Engagement and Brand Loyalty: Modelling the Role of Self-brand Congruency with Moderated Mediation Approach

All regions are experiencing a boom in social media adoption, and marketers are continuously seeking innovative approaches to grow their network of loyal customers through online brand communities. The present study aims to examine how social media marketing activities may lead to brand loyalty. In this connection, the study investigates the role of brand community engagement and self-brand congruency. The data were gathered using a survey based on a questionnaire from 245 social media users following certain brand community pages on various social media platforms. Analysis of data set was conducted using structural equation modelling via Amos 23.0 and SPSS 20.0. Additionally, moderated mediation was assessed using SPSS’s Process macro. The findings reveal that social media marketing activities significantly influence customer’s loyalty towards the brand. However, this effect was found to be mediated through brand community engagement. Additionally, the outcome of the moderated mediation analysis demonstrated that the indirect impact of social media marketing activities on brand loyalty through brand community engagement was moderated by self-brand congruency. The study produces novel insights into the intricate relationship between social media marketing activities, brand community engagement, brand loyalty and self-brand congruency, significantly providing a roadmap for managers, guiding them to strategically craft brand experiences, adapt to consumer trends and foster emotional attachments with the brand.

(Re)defining Motor Competence: Empirical Exploration Based on a Moderated Mediation Approach

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of the study was to empirically support a broader motor competence moderated mediation approach in which motor coordination is the predictor variable and motor competence self-perception is the outcome variable, anxiety and self-esteem are mediator variables, and gender is the moderator variable. Method: 327 year-4 Primary Education pupils participated. A conditional processes analysis was performed by macro PROCESS v.3.4. Results: For the moderation effects, interactions appeared between motor coordination and gender when taking self-esteem, anxiety and motor competence self-perception as outcome variables. Interactions were found between self-esteem and gender when anxiety and motor competence self-perception were taken as outcome variables. An interaction appeared between anxiety and gender when motor competence self-perception was considered an outcome variable. A significant direct effect was noted between the motor coordination variable and motor competence self-perception for both genders. The moderated mediation indices supported the indirect conditional effects of motor coordination when partially and jointly bearing in mind the moderator effect of gender on motor competence self-perception by means of self-esteem and anxiety. Conclusions: The results reveal the importance of understanding motor competence by more globally contemplating not only students’ motor learning, but also their cognitive and psycho-emotional reality.

The Impact of Recommendation System on User Satisfaction: A Moderated Mediation Approach

A recommendation system serves as a key factor for improving e-commerce users’ satisfaction by providing them with more accurate and diverse suggestions. A significant body of research has examined the accuracy and diversity of a variety of recommendation systems. However, little is known about the psychological mechanisms through which the recommendation system influences the user satisfaction. Thus, the purpose of this study is to contribute to this gap by examining the mediating and moderating processes underlying this relationship. Drawing from the traditional task-technology fit literature, the study developed a moderated mediation model, simultaneously considering the roles of a user’s feeling state and shopping goal. We adopted a scenario-based experimental approach to test three hypotheses contained in the model. The results showed that there is an interaction effect between shopping goals and types of recommendation (diversity and accuracy) on user satisfaction. Specifically, when a user’s shopping goal aligns with recommendation results in terms of accuracy and diversity, the user satisfaction is enhanced. Furthermore, this study evaluated the mediating role of feeling right and psychological reactance for a better understanding of this interactive relationship. We tested the moderated mediation effect of feeling right and the psychological reactance moderated by the user shopping goal. For goal-directed users, accurate recommendations trigger the activation of feeling right, consequently increasing the user satisfaction. Conversely, when exploratory users face accurate recommendations, they activate psychological reactance, which leads to a reduction in user satisfaction. Finally, we discuss the implications for the study of recommendation systems, and for how marketers/online retailers can implement them to improve online customers’ shopping experience.

Consumers’ Reaction to Greenwashing in the Saudi Arabian Skincare Market: A Moderated Mediation Approach

Amidst the abundance of skincare options, the process of identifying the most fitting products is a daunting task. This challenge is further intensified when brands frequently lack transparency concerning their environment-friendly characteristics, fostering skepticism among consumers or potential adopters. As a result, to resolve the problem of consumers’ mixed emotions towards skincare brands, it is necessary to understand how greenwashing, green skepticism with two moderators (information quality and brand reputation) shape consumers’ intentions. Drawing on a theoretical conceptual model rooted in the consumer behavior literature, the present investigation tested the hypotheses through cross-sectional survey research. Using convenience sampling, 441 participants were recruited through social media platforms and skincare-related forums. This study establishes the mediating role of green skepticism and the direct impact of greenwashing on consumers’ purchase intentions. Consequently, the statistical significance of the path coefficients provide empirical support for the influence of greenwashing and green skepticism on consumers’ intentions. Our research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable consumption, offering theoretical advancements and practical implications for the researchers, policymakers, and businesses involved in the Saudi Arabian skincare market.

Fun in a Box? Loneliness and Adolescents' Problematic Smartphone Use: A Moderated Mediation Analysis of the Underlying Mechanisms.

Addictive smartphone use is one of the most concerning behaviors among adolescents. The present study investigated the indirect effects of self-esteem and boredom proneness and the moderating role of the need to belong on the link between loneliness and addictive smartphone use (ASU). Our sample included 357 adolescents aged 12 to 19 (Mage = 15.56, SD = 1.01, 57.42% males) from ten public schools in Romania. We used a moderated mediation approach, with moderation of the both second mediation paths and the direct effect path. Results suggested that the influence of loneliness on ASU was statistically significant and partially mediated both by self-esteem and boredom proneness. Adolescents' need to belong significantly moderated the positive association between boredom proneness and ASU, and the direct negative association between loneliness and ASU; however, it did not moderate the negative association between self-esteem and ASU. Thus, high levels of the need to belong also increased the influence of boredom proneness on AUS and had a marginally significant effect on the relation between loneliness and ASU. These results suggested that adolescents' need to belong, self-esteem, and boredom proneness might contribute to developing ASU. Interventions centered around countering the adverse effects of excessive technology use ought to consider group activities that facilitate social bonding to satisfy the participants' need to belong, reduce their levels of boredom, and, thus, reduce the risk of developing ASU symptoms.