Decent work in a transition economy: An empirical study of employees in China

Psychology of Working Theory (PWT) is a recently proposed framework to evaluate issues of decent work. This study evaluates the predictors and outcomes of decent work and uses the model to compare samples of public and non-public Chinese employees from diverse economic and occupational backgrounds. The theoretical framework has economic constraints as a predictor; job and life satisfaction as outcomes; with work volition, career adaptability and decent work as mediators. Overall, most of the hypothesized direct paths were significantly positive, except that economic constraints negatively influence career adaptability and work volition. The results indicate that the PWT is applicable to Chinese employees and the theory is supported in a Chinese context. The results have implications for the individuals and companies. For the individuals, interventions based upon career adaptability and work volition are proposed. For the companies, decent work is an important means for promoting employees’ job and life satisfaction. Finally, research findings and managerial implications are discussed.