High commitment HRM and burnout of frontline food service employees: a moderated mediation model

Purpose Drawing from the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) framework and Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, the authors' study examines the impact of high commitment HR management (HCHRM) practices and psychological capital (PsyCap) on job autonomy and job demands in predicting burnout in frontline food service employees. Design/methodology/approach A moderated mediation model was developed and tested on 257 Australian workers employed in the food service industry. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Findings There was support for the mediation effect of HCHRM on burnout, via two sequential mediators: job autonomy and job demands. PsyCap was found to buffer (moderation) the effect of job demands on burnout. Frontline employees also perceived HCHRM to be a negative signal that was implemented for the good of management. Research limitations/implications The authors are aware of the potential of common method variance due to the cross-sectional research design. Future research should adopt a longitudinal research design or collect data from several sources of informants. As the authors did not find support for the optimistic perspective hypothesis, despite its theoretical and empirical relevance under JD-R and COR perspectives, they call for further research exploring the link between HRM, job design and psychological conditions in promoting employee wellbeing. Practical implications Burnout is one of the most common and critical health issues faced by frontline food service employees. Food service organizations have to strategize their management practices to reduce employees' experience with burnout by implementing high commitment enhancing HR practices and developing employees' PsyCap. Originality/value This study provided a better understanding of how (macro) HCHRM practices as an organizational resource reduce burnout of frontline food service employees via two (micro) mediators: job autonomy and job demands. PsyCap is an important personal resource that lessens burnout, consistent with the COR theory. These findings contribute to the literature on strategic HRM and its relationship to employee wellbeing.

Automated summary

This study examined the impact of high commitment HR management practices and psychological capital on burnout in frontline food service employees. The findings show that high commitment HR practices influence burnout via job autonomy and job demands, and psychological capital can buffer the effect of job demands on burnout. The study suggests that food service organizations should focus on enhancing HR practices and developing employees' psychological capital to reduce burnout.