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How does the servant supervisor influence the employability of postgraduates? Exploring the mechanisms of self-efficacy and academic engagement

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  • Lifeng Zhong

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Zhichao Qian

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Dongdong Wang

    (Nanjing University of Finance & Economics)

Abstract

Drawing on the conservation of resource theory, this study investigates the mediating effects of self-efficacy and academic engagement in the relationship between servant supervision and postgraduates’ employability. We conducted a field study with 598 postgraduates (students for the research-based master's degree and PhD candidates) enrolled in universities in China to test our hypotheses. We developed and tested a model contending that servant supervisors propagate servant supervision among postgraduates through postgraduates’ self-efficacy and academic engagement, which indirectly influences postgraduates’ employability. The results support the mediating effects of both self-efficacy and academic engagement on the relationship between servant supervision and postgraduates’ employability. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Lifeng Zhong & Zhichao Qian & Dongdong Wang, 2020. "How does the servant supervisor influence the employability of postgraduates? Exploring the mechanisms of self-efficacy and academic engagement," Frontiers of Business Research in China, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:fobric:v:14:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1186_s11782-020-00079-1
    DOI: 10.1186/s11782-020-00079-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ziwei Yang & Haina Zhang & Ho Kwong Kwan & Shouming Chen, 2018. "Crossover Effects of Servant Leadership and Job Social Support on Employee Spouses: The Mediating Role of Employee Organization-Based Self-Esteem," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 147(3), pages 595-604, February.
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    4. Yoshida, Diah Tuhfat & Sendjaya, Sen & Hirst, Giles & Cooper, Brian, 2014. "Does servant leadership foster creativity and innovation? A multi-level mediation study of identification and prototypicality," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(7), pages 1395-1404.
    5. Sen Sendjaya & James C. Sarros & Joseph C. Santora, 2008. "Defining and Measuring Servant Leadership Behaviour in Organizations," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(2), pages 402-424, March.
    6. Allan P. O. Williams, 2006. "Impact of Strategies," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: The Rise of Cass Business School, chapter 13, pages 167-181, Palgrave Macmillan.
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    Cited by:

    1. Erstu Tarko Kassa, 2023. "Exploring Employability of Business Graduates: Evidence from Woldia University," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(2), pages 1033-1051, June.
    2. Baba Kachalla Wujema & Roziah Mohd Rasdi & Zeinab Zaremohzzabieh & Seyedali Ahrari, 2022. "The Role of Self-Efficacy as a Mediating Variable in CareerEDGE Employability Model: The Context of Undergraduate Employability in the North-East Region of Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, April.

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