Can trust in management help? Job satisfaction, healthy lifestyle, and turnover intentions

Abstract

Purpose

This study assesses the role of trust in management on relationships between predictors (supervisor support, coworker support and meaningful work) and outcomes (job satisfaction, turnover intentions and healthy lifestyle).

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 1,302 working adults from the National Survey of Changing Workforce was used in this study. Structural equation models and mediation analyses are used to analyze the data.

Findings

Findings indicate that trust in management significantly mediates relationships between support (supervisor, coworker) and outcomes and meaningful work and outcomes. Trust in management does not mediate relationships involving turnover intentions. Gender does not have a significant impact on the findings.

Practical implications

This study shows how trust in management is increasingly important during disruptions including high levels of voluntary turnover known as the Great Resignation. Trust in management is a key factor in work involvement and organizational citizenship behaviors.

Originality/value

This novel study tests how trust mediates relationships between both organizational behavior factors and work factors in relation to outcomes. The importance of developing and sustaining trust in management is paramount because it affects work-related outcomes as well as an individual's job satisfaction and healthy lifestyle.

Citation

Gopalan, N., Beutell, N.J. and Alstete, J.W. (2023), "Can trust in management help? Job satisfaction, healthy lifestyle, and turnover intentions", International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 185-202. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOTB-09-2022-0180