Relationships between job embeddedness and employees’ life satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore relationships between organisation embeddedness and life satisfaction, and community embeddedness and life satisfaction. The study also examined relationships between each sub-dimension of organisation embeddedness and community embeddedness and life satisfaction. These sub-dimensions are “links”, “fit” and “sacrifice”. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 549 employees in organisations located in four major business centres in South Africa. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings Both organisation embeddedness and community embeddedness were positively related to life satisfaction. Regarding the sub-dimensions of organisation embeddedness, only organisation fit and sacrifice were positively related to life satisfaction. As regards the sub-dimensions of community embeddedness, only community fit was positively related to life satisfaction. Practical implications Adopting practices which embed employees in the organisation and communities where they live is potentially beneficial for both organisations and employee well-being. Originality/value The bulk of research on job embeddedness (JE) and work-related outcomes has focussed on benefits for the organisation. The effects of embeddedness on employee well-being have been largely overlooked. The current study is an attempt to redress this imbalance in JE research.