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How Job Autonomy Promotes Employee’s Sustainable Development? A Moderated Mediation Model

Author

Listed:
  • Qiwei Zhou

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Qian Li

    (International Business School, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing 100089, China)

  • Shiyang Gong

    (Business School, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing 100029, China)

Abstract

In the rapidly changing business world, improving employee’s self-development level is of great importance for organizations to pursue sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to examine how and when job autonomy promotes employee’s self-development. Drawing from self-determination theory, we examined the effect of job autonomy on employee’s self-development, and the mediation role of intrinsic motivation in this relationship. Moreover, we argued that team connectivity strengthened the relationship between job autonomy and intrinsic motivation, and further moderated the indirect effect of job autonomy and self-employment via intrinsic motivation. Using a two-wave panel design, we collected data from a sample of 473 employees in China. The results indicated that job autonomy predicted employee’s self-development, and employee’s intrinsic motivation fully mediated this relationship. Team connectivity positively moderated the relationship between job autonomy and intrinsic motivation, and further moderated the mediation effect of intrinsic motivation. The theoretical and practical implications of this research are discussed along with the limitations and further research directions.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiwei Zhou & Qian Li & Shiyang Gong, 2019. "How Job Autonomy Promotes Employee’s Sustainable Development? A Moderated Mediation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:22:p:6445-:d:287584
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. App, Stefanie & Merk, Janina & Buettgen, Marion, 2012. "Employer Branding: Sustainable HRM as a Competitive Advantage in the Market for High-Quality Employees," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 23(3), pages 262-278.
    2. Juan Yang & Bo Pu & Zhenzhong Guan, 2019. "Entrepreneurial Leadership and Turnover Intention in Startups: Mediating Roles of Employees’ Job Embeddedness, Job Satisfaction and Affective Commitment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-15, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lan Li & Fred Lemke, 2025. "Shaping the Future of Business Sustainability: LDA Topic Modeling Insights, Definitions, and Research Agenda," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 201(2), pages 391-456, October.
    2. Dr. Muhammad Bilal Ahmad & Ayesha Badar & Dr. Muhammad Ramzan, 2023. "Investigating the Factors Affecting Employee Job Satisfaction through Job Autonomy in the Growing Concept of Hybrid Working Model in the IT Industry," Journal of Policy Research (JPR), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 9(2), pages 591-601.
    3. Nadežda Jankelová & Zuzana Joniaková & Ildikó Némethová & Jana Blštáková, 2020. "How to Support the Effect of Transformational Leadership on Performance in Agricultural Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Nadeem, Kashif & Wong, Sut I. & Za, Stefano & Venditti, Michelina, 2024. "Digital transformation and industry 4.0 employees: Empirical evidence from top digital nations," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    5. Małgorzata Okręglicka & Prabhat Mittal & Valentinas Navickas, 2023. "Exploring the Mechanisms Linking Perceived Organizational Support, Autonomy, Risk Taking, Competitive Aggressiveness and Corporate Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Innovativeness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-23, March.
    6. Zhao, Lijuan & Wu, Lin, 2023. "How does digital office affect overtime through job autonomy in China? A nonlinear mediating model for the autonomy paradox," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    7. Michal Tlustý & Iveta Kmecová, 2022. "The degree of use of motivational factors depending on the sector and size of enterprises," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 10(2), pages 590-607, December.
    8. Jian Tian & Yan Peng & Xing Zhou, 2020. "The Effects of Abusive Supervision and Motivational Preference on Employees’ Innovative Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-15, October.

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