In pursuit of happiness at work: exploring the role of psychological capital and coping in managing COVID-19 stress among Indian employees
Journal of Asia Business Studies
ISSN: 1558-7894
Article publication date: 6 October 2021
Issue publication date: 29 November 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Employee happiness is crucial in any organization as happy employees are said to be more committed in their work. However, COVID-19 stress in the current situation is a major problem for employees and it can negatively influence their happiness level. Therefore, it is critical to understand how the stressful nature of the current pandemic threatens workplace happiness. Based on conservation of resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989), this study aims to examine the resources to be protected (i.e. psychological capital) and resource investment (i.e. coping) to ensure the happiness of the employees amidst a bio-psycho-socioeconomic crisis like COVID-19 pandemic. The study explores the mediating role of psychological capital and the moderating effect of coping on the relationship between COVID-19 stress and employee happiness.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the Indian working population by means of purposive sampling (N = 336). Standardized instruments were used to measure the variables under study. Data analysis were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 20.0 and Analysis of Moment Structure 20.0 software tools and PROCESS macro was used for mediation and moderation analysis.
Findings
Structural equation modelling analysis showed that COVID-19 stress negatively influenced employee happiness; whereas psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between these two variables. Further, coping was found to buffer against the harmful implications of COVID-19 stress on employee happiness.
Originality/value
In an effort to respond timely to the present pandemic scenario, the current study provides an account of the harmful effects of COVID-19-related stress on the workplace happiness of the Indian service sector employees. The study also offers insights into the possible mediating and moderating mechanisms in this relationship.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the anonymous reviewers who provided valuable comments and constructive suggestions for this paper. Timely support and cooperation received from the editorial office of the Journal of Asia Business Studies is really noteworthy.
Citation
Pradhan, R.K., Jandu, K., Panda, M., Hati, L. and Mallick, M. (2022), "In pursuit of happiness at work: exploring the role of psychological capital and coping in managing COVID-19 stress among Indian employees", Journal of Asia Business Studies, Vol. 16 No. 6, pp. 850-867. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-03-2021-0097
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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