Title: Moderating effect of mindfulness in psychological contract breach and work engagement relationship

Authors: Gul Afshan

Addresses: Business Administration Department, Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur, 65200, Pakistan

Abstract: This study examines the impact of psychological contract breach (PCB) on banking sector employees' work engagement in Pakistan. The relationship was hypothesised between PCB and work engagement based on the job-demand resource model and affective event theory (AET). Data were collected through a survey questionnaire from 239 banking employees in banks in Pakistan. The data were analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM) in AMOS software. The results supported the negative relationship between PCB and employees' work engagement. Moreover, mindfulness moderated the relationship between PCB and work engagement. The relationship was weaker for employees with a high level of mindfulness. The results highlight that unaddressed PCB may lead service sector employees to be less engaged in their jobs. Based on the study's findings, organisations are recommended to understand and address the psychological contract formation process and develop a quality relationship with employees to benefit in the long run.

Keywords: mindfulness; PCB; psychological contract breach; work engagement; banks; job demand resource model; AET; affective event theory; service sector; organisations; Pakistan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2022.127629

International Journal of Happiness and Development, 2022 Vol.7 No.3, pp.183 - 202

Received: 24 May 2021
Accepted: 14 Sep 2021
Published online: 13 Dec 2022 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article