Understanding the role of supervisor support in retaining employees and enhancing their satisfaction with life
| Date | 06 November 2017 |
| Published date | 06 November 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-11-2015-0287 |
| Pages | 1605-1619 |
| Author | Neerpal Rathi,Kidong Lee |
| Subject Matter | HR & organizational behaviour,Global HRM |
Understanding the role of
supervisor support in retaining
employees and enhancing their
satisfaction with life
Neerpal Rathi
Xavier School of Human Resource Management,
Xavier University, Bhubaneswar, India and
College of Business Administration, Incheon National University,
Incheon, the Republic of Korea, and
Kidong Lee
College of Business Administration, Incheon National University,
Incheon, the Republic of Korea
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association of supervisor support with
organizational commitment, turnover intentions, and life satisfaction, while also examining the mediating role
of quality of work life (QWL) in these associations.
Design/methodology/approach –For testing the research hypotheses, data were collected from
244 respondents working in organizations within the organized retail sector in India. Existing, established
scales were used to measure the research constructs.
Findings –The results of this study indicate that supervisor support was positively related to QWL.
Moreover, QWL was found to be positively related to organizational commitment and life satisfaction,
whereas a negative association was observed between QWL and turnover intentions. Finally, the results
show that QWL mediated the association of supervisor support with organizational commitment, turnover
intentions, and life satisfaction.
Practical implications –The current study suggests that a supportive supervisor enhances employees’
emotional attachment to the organization and life satisfaction by augmenting their QWL. The findings of this
study may be helpful for organizational leaders in designing human resource practices that focus on
enhancing supervisor support. An enhanced level of supervisor support may further help in retaining
employees and improving their lives in today’s highly competitive and stressful business environment.
Originality/value –Although the association of supervisor support with employee attitudes and behavior
at work has been extensively investigated, previous research did not clarify how supervisor support is linked
to these outcomes. By investigating the mediating role of QWL, this research elucidates the underlying
mechanisms linking supervisor support with organizational commitment, turnover intentions, and life
satisfaction. This research provides an important contribution not only to the workplace support literature,
but also to the field of human resource management.
Keywords Talent management, Organizational commitment, Turnover intentions, Quality of work life,
Supervisor support, Employee satisfaction
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
In today’s highly competitive and volatile business environment, the role of supervisor has
become more important than ever before. Supervisors play a critical role in the success of an
organization by engaging, motivating, and retaining employees. Emphasizing the crucial
role of supervisors in today’s organizations, Stinglhamber and Vandenberghe (2003) stated
that “supervisors not only ‘represent’but also partly ‘replace’the organization in keeping Personnel Review
Vol. 46 No. 8, 2017
pp. 1605-1619
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0048-3486
DOI 10.1108/PR-11-2015-0287
Received 14 November 2015
Revised 14 July 2016
5 September 2016
14 October 2016
Accepted 6 November 2016
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0048-3486.htm
This research was supported by Post-Doctoral Research Program (2015) through Incheon National
University (INU), Incheon, Republic of Korea.
1605
Role of
supervisor
support
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