Anticipated organizational identity change, job anxiety and affective commitment during macro-level turbulence: a cross-lagged study in the shifting sands of Brexit

Edwards, Martin R.; Leite, Ana C.; de Moura, Georgina Randsley; Marques, André G.; Abrams, Dominic

Abstract

The current study examines how events external to organizations raise a challenge to perceptions of organizational identity continuity leading to a negative affective and attitudinal workforce response. This 5-wave study surveys full-time employees (N = 1309) from around the UK during a period of socio-political turmoil during negotiations of terms of withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). Drawing on Conservation of Resources Theory and Affective Events Theory we hypothesize that employees’ anticipation of change in organizational identity will lead to negative individual-level affective responses of job anxiety and a subsequent reduction in affective commitment. Utilizing a Random Intercept Cross Lagged Panel Model, the results show that within-person increases in perceptions of anticipated organizational identity change are followed by increases in job anxiety, which is followed by reductions in affective organizational commitment. Thus, the turbulent external context challenges employees’ enduring sense of organizational identity which can have profound effects on employees and their relationship with their employer.

Citation

Edwards, M. R., Leite, A. C., de Moura, G. R., Marques, A. G., & Abrams, D. (online). Anticipated organizational identity change, job anxiety and affective commitment during macro-level turbulence: a cross-lagged study in the shifting sands of Brexit. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432x.2024.2374050

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 22, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 22, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 10, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 10, 2024
• Journal: European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology
• Print ISSN: 1359-432X
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-0643
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432x.2024.2374050
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2854317