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Is there a buffering effect of flexibility for job attitudes and work-related strain under conditions of high job insecurity and regional unemployment rate?

Author

Listed:
  • Kathleen Otto
  • Anja Hoffmann-Biencourt
  • Gisela Mohr

Abstract

This article explores the relationships of job insecurity and regional unemployment rate with job attitudes and work-related strain. The authors considered the personality attribute flexibility as a potential moderator. Their results revealed job insecurity to be negatively associated with job involvement and career satisfaction and positively with readiness to make concessions and strain. Moreover, with an increasing level of subjective (qualitative) job insecurity, individuals low in flexibility reported lower career satisfaction. In contrast, where objective job insecurity (unemployment rate) was high, these low flexibility participants showed higher career satisfaction. They were also more ready to make concessions and more involved with their job than those high in flexibility. Finally, the study found the proposed buffering effect, as those high in flexibility experienced less health impairment when perceived (quantitative) job insecurity and regional unemployment rate were high. Strategies of coping with uncertainty as well as options regarding strengthening flexibility are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathleen Otto & Anja Hoffmann-Biencourt & Gisela Mohr, 2011. "Is there a buffering effect of flexibility for job attitudes and work-related strain under conditions of high job insecurity and regional unemployment rate?," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 32(4), pages 609-630, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:32:y:2011:i:4:p:609-630
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X10388531
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kathleen Otto & Gisela Mohr & Maria U Kottwitz & Sabine Korek, 2016. "The joint impact of microeconomic parameters and job insecurity perceptions on commitment towards one’s job, occupation and career: A multilevel approach," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 37(1), pages 43-71, February.
    2. Thomas Rigotti & Gisela Mohr & Kerstin Isaksson, 2015. "Job insecurity among temporary workers: Looking through the gender lens," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 36(3), pages 523-547, August.
    3. Suhaer Yunus & Ahmed Mohammed Sayed Mostafa, 2022. "Flexible working practices and job-related anxiety: Examining the roles of trust in management and job autonomy," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 43(3), pages 1340-1368, August.
    4. Dave Stynen & Anneleen Forrier & Luc Sels & Hans De Witte, 2015. "The relationship between qualitative job insecurity and OCB: Differences across age groups," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 36(3), pages 383-405, August.

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