Occupational self-efficacy, job crafting and job satisfaction in newcomer socialization: a moderated mediation model

Purpose Drawing on job crafting theory and the social cognitive theory of work satisfaction, the purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of task, relational and cognitive crafting on job satisfaction and how occupational self-efficacy (OSE) and hierarchical organizational culture affect the execution and outcome of job crafting behaviors. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected at four time points among Chinese media professionals (N = 198) during three consecutive months. Regression analysis and the bootstrap method were used for hypothesis testing. Findings Only cognitive crafting was found to mediate the positive relationship between OSE and job satisfaction. In a hierarchical organizational culture, the positive effects of OSE on task, relational and cognitive crafting became stronger, while the effect of task crafting on job satisfaction became negative. The authors also identified a conditional negative effect of OSE on job satisfaction via task crafting. The mediating effect of cognitive crafting was consistent despite the levels of hierarchical culture. Practical implications To retain new hires, organizations should look for efficacious individuals and encourage the individuals to cognitively craft individuals' jobs, especially in a hierarchical culture. Moreover, job crafting interventions should be carefully designed in this type of culture. Originality/value This research identifies the three dimensions of job crafting as mediators that link OSE to job satisfaction and reveals the role of hierarchical culture in moderating these relationships.