Unlocking the secret to happiness at work: the power of inclusive leadership, organizational justice and workplace inclusion
Journal of Management Development
ISSN: 0262-1711
Article publication date: 3 August 2023
Issue publication date: 26 March 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of Inclusive Leadership (IL) and Organizational Justice (OJ) on employees’ Happiness at Work (HAW). Utilizing a mediation mechanism, the study additionally uncovers the mediating impact of Workplace Inclusion (WI).
Design/methodology/approach
The research involved a cross-sectional study with a quantitative methodology, collecting data from 311 employees working in IT sector firms in India by administering standardized questionnaires. Statistical analyses, including Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling using SmartPLS4.0, were conducted to examine the relationship between constructs.
Findings
The hypothesized mediation model was supported. WI mediated the relationship partially between OJ and HAW, whereas there is a full mediating effect of WI on the IL–HAW relationship. Overall, the study shows that by providing fair treatment, inclusive leaders promote inclusivity among employees, further enhancing HAW.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s implications suggest that leaders, with their inclusive behaviour and fair practices, can have a significant positive impact on employees’ workplace happiness when accompanied by a sense of inclusivity among employees.
Practical implications
Organizations and leaders can utilize this study’s findings to promote inclusiveness and HAW, which can be a key to organizational growth and development in a post-pandemic era.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the research literature by addressing the unexplored relationship between IL, OJ and HAW. The exclusive as well as inclusive focus on the mediating role of WI adds new insights and enriches the understanding of the intricate conceptualization of the variables under study.
Keywords
Citation
Jha, I.N., Pal, D. and Sarkar, S. (2024), "Unlocking the secret to happiness at work: the power of inclusive leadership, organizational justice and workplace inclusion", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 43 No. 2, pp. 200-221. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-04-2023-0136
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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