Flexible working arrangement and job performance: the mediating role of supervisor support

Abstract

Purpose

This study's main objective is to investigate the influence of flexible working arrangements (FWAs) on employee job performance. In addition, this research studies the mediating role of supervisor's support on the relationship between FWAs and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypothesised model, cross-sectional data were collected from 214 employees working in 46 service firms in India. The data were analysed by structural equation modelling.

Findings

The supervisor's support mediated the relationship between FWAs and job performance. The study’s results show that role of supervisors shapes the collective social exchange relationship between the organisation and employees. These findings highlight the importance of shared experiences, values and norms, which reciprocate with change-supportive behaviours and abilities. Moreover, supervisors’ support transmits signals through which employees feel more valued and eventually affect their job performance.

Research limitations/implications

The research is confined to India's service industries settings only.

Practical implications

Service firm management recommended implementing FWAs with appropriate organisation level planning, which directly benefits employees' well-being, improves work–life balance, reduces the rate of employee turnover and leads to increased employee productivity.

Originality/value

The study's result is that supervisor's support has a significant influence on employee uptake of FWAs, and understanding how the service firm's context shapes supervisors’ support is critical to improving FWAs implementation.

Citation

Sekhar, C. and Patwardhan, M. (2023), "Flexible working arrangement and job performance: the mediating role of supervisor support", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 72 No. 5, pp. 1221-1238. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-07-2020-0396