“The perfect moment is this one. The effect of mindfulness on employees: a perspective from self-determination theory”

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to show the direct and indirect effects of mindfulness on the employees’ commitment in the employees who perform monotonous work. Moreover, it also shows the role of basic psychological needs proposed by self-determination theory (SDT), on the relationship between mindfulness and commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has used a time-lagged approach. Data has been collected from the nurses in public sector hospitals through a survey strategy. Structural equation modeling has been used to validate the measure and to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results of thi study reveal that there is a positive relationship between mindfulness and employee affective organizational commitment. This study also shows that in the existence of a high level of autonomy, mindfulness does have more effect on commitment. Moreover, this study also shows that this relationship is mediated by employee boredom. However, this mediation is not moderated by the satisfaction of the need for autonomy.

Practical implications

This study serves as a guide for frontline managers in situations where they want their subordinates who perform monotonous and boring work to remain committed to the organization. This study also emphasizes the recruitment of employees who may show more trait mindfulness.

Originality/value

This study enriches the literature in the field of organizational behavior by showing how basic psychological needs proposed by SDT collaborate with mindfulness in producing employees’ positive attitudes.

Citation

Zeshan, M., de La Villarmois, O., Rasool, S. and Niazi, A.R.K. (2023), "“The perfect moment is this one. The effect of mindfulness on employees: a perspective from self-determination theory”", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 31 No. 7, pp. 3617-3633. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-07-2022-3346