A study of the effects of job insecurity on organizational citizenship behavior based on the chained mediating effects of emotional exhaustion and organizational identification

Jing Zhu and Mingfa Yang

PLOS ONE, 2025, vol. 20, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to explore the influence mechanism of job insecurity on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Specifically, it sought to examine the chained mediating role of emotional exhaustion and organizational identification in this relationship. Methods: A longitudinal time-lagged survey was conducted on 330 employees at two time points. The data were collected using established scales for job insecurity, emotional exhaustion, organizational identification, and OCB. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized chained mediation model. Results: The results confirmed that emotional exhaustion and organizational identification are crucial mediators. Three significant indirect pathways were identified: (1) a simple mediation path through emotional exhaustion; (2) a simple mediation path through organizational identification; and (3) a chained mediation path where job insecurity increased emotional exhaustion, which in turn decreased organizational identification, ultimately leading to lower OCB. Notably, emotional exhaustion emerged as the most dominant mediating mechanism. Conclusions: This study reveals a complex mechanism through which job insecurity impacts OCB, highlighting a sequential process from emotional strain to cognitive detachment. These findings offer important theoretical insights for job stress models and provide practical guidance for organizations to mitigate the negative effects of job insecurity by addressing both employee well-being and their sense of belonging.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0329976

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0329976

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