The impacts of high-quality relationships on employee outcomes; evidence from restaurant staff in India

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to develop a research model that investigates the probable antecedents and outcomes of psychological capital (PSY-capital). More specifically, high-quality relationships (HQRs) and psychological safety (PSY-safety) are tested as the antecedents and organizational deviant behaviors (ODBs) is tested as the outcome. Design/methodology/approach Data was gathered from the restaurant staff and their direct supervisors through a 10-day time-lag design in two different rounds. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the direct and mediation. Findings Drawing upon social identity theory (SIT), the findings reveal that PSY-safety functions as a mediator of the effect of HQRs on PSY-capital. Additionally, the results proved that PSY-capital mediates the relationship between PSY-safety and ODBs. Practical implications Considering the results, restaurant managers should pay ample attention to and make every effort to develop HQRs among organizational members. Through this, manager paves the way for PSY-safety which causes employees to develop PSY-capital and eventually display less deviance. Additionally, the authors recommend that company managers serve as role models for their staff, sharing information with and respecting them to create an environment of mutual trust, similar goals and knowledge sharing. Originality/value This research contributes significantly to the existing hospitality literature (specifically foodservice) by testing the mechanism through which HQRs lead to PSY-capital and the mediation effect of PSY-capital in the relationship between PSY-safety and ODBs.