ARTICLE
Accentuating the positive: How and when occupational identity threat leads to job crafting and positive outcomes
Yangxin Wang,
Dora C. Lau,
Youngsang Kim,
Corresponding Author
Yangxin Wang
Business School, Central South University, Changsha, China
Correspondence
Yangxin Wang, Business School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDora C. Lau
Department of Management, Business School, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
Search for more papers by this authorYoungsang Kim
Department of Management, SKK Business School, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
Search for more papers by this author
Yangxin Wang,
Dora C. Lau,
Youngsang Kim,
Corresponding Author
Yangxin Wang
Business School, Central South University, Changsha, China
Correspondence
Yangxin Wang, Business School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDora C. Lau
Department of Management, Business School, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
Search for more papers by this authorYoungsang Kim
Department of Management, SKK Business School, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Drawing on the identity literature and job crafting research, the present work investigates how occupational identity threat is positively related to individual job crafting (i.e., approach crafting and avoidance crafting) and how approach (or avoidance) crafting transforms occupational identity threat into increased job engagement and improved job performance. We also propose that the regulatory focus of individuals would moderate these relationships. After conducting two field studies, Study 1, which used data from 211 matched employee–supervisor pairs at an aluminium manufacturing company, found that occupational identity threat had a positive effect on approach and avoidance crafting. The results also showed further support for the moderating effect of prevention focus and a mediating effect of approach crafting in transferring the effect of occupational identity threat in a positive manner (i.e., higher job engagement and performance). In Study 2, we replicated the findings of Study 1 and found further evidence for the moderating effect of promotion focus and a moderated mediating effect of approach crafting on job engagement. Theoretical and practical implications of this research are discussed.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
All authors declare no conflict of interest.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Supporting Information
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Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
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