Anne Marie Francesco

The relationship between the three components of commitment and employee performance in China

Abstract This study examined the relationship between the three components of organizational commitment and performance, defined as in-role performance and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), using a sample of 253 supervisor–subordinate dyads from the People’s Republic of China. Results showed that affective commitment (AC) related positively to in-role performance and OCB, while continuance commitment (CC) was not associated with in-role performance but negatively correlated with OCB. In addition, normative commitment (NC) moderated the relationship between AC and in-role performance as well as OCB. The linear relationship between AC and in-role performance/OCB was stronger for those with lower NC. Limitations of the study, directions for future research, and implications of the findings are discussed.

The Relationship Between Individualism-Collectivism, Face, And Feedback And Learning Processes In Hong Kong, Singapore, And The United States

This article focuses on the relationships among face (mianzi), individualism-collectivism, feedback processes, and learning outcomes in HongKong, Singapore, and the United States. An expected effect between individualism and desire to gain mianzi (Mianzigain) was generally confirmed; however, the mirror effect between collectivism and fear of losing mianzi (Mianziloss) was not. As, expected, there was a consistent negative effect between Mianziloss and student question-asking in class (InAsk), but the positive effect from Mianzigain to InAsk was only found in the U.S. sample. Selective effects of feedback forms on learning were highly sensitive to cultural contexts. In the United States, asking questions outside of class was positively related to grades. However, InAsk had a negative effect. In contrast, InAsk was positively related to grades in Hong Kong. For Singaporeans, only checking with students outside of class had an effect on performance, but it was negative.

Dispositional traits and turnover intention

This paper investigates the relationships between turnover intention and positive affectivity (PA) and negative affectivity (NA), and the mediating roles of job satisfaction and affective commitment in those relationships. Based on a sample of 279 Chinese managers, PA predicts turnover intention, and job satisfaction mediates the relationship. However, NA is neither directly nor indirectly related to turnover intention.

The Macro-Environment and Work-Family Conflict Development of a Cross Cultural Comparative Framework

Using data from focus groups in five countries (China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore, and the United States), we identified macro-level influences on the work-family interface across the countries. Because macro-level influences are rarely investigated in work-family interface research, we sought to understand the nature of the influence and to guide future research in this area of inquiry. Using archival data, we viewed (changes in) economic, social, technological and legal factors across the five countries to explain differences and similarities associated with managing the work and family domains. Based on our integration of archival statistics and qualitative data grounded in the real experiences of employees in each of the five countries, we developed a general framework that can be applied to understanding work-family conflict across cultures. Our preliminary evidence indicates that changes in macro-level factors that are in greater conflict with cultural values lead to higher levels of stress and work-family conflict.

Collectivism in Action Its Moderating Effects on the Relationship between Organizational Commitment and Employee Performance in China

This study explores the role of collectivism as a moderator of the relationship between organizational commitment (OC) and employee performance in a Chinese setting. The relationships between OC and both in-role and extra role performance were found to be weaker for collectivists. These weaker relationships were thought to be because of feelings of obligation to the organization that may have been aroused in collectivists who considered the organization as an in-group. Limitations of the study, directions for future research, and implications of the findings are discussed.

The Silent Chinese: The Influence of Face and Kiasuism on Student Feedback-Seeking Behaviors

Based on a qualitative study and a follow-up survey of 503 Singapore management students, the authors discuss the emergence of a new cultural attitude, kiasuism, one that has roots in the Chinese concept of face. The term kiasu, literally meaning “afraid to lose” in the Chinese Hokkien dialect, may lead students either to put in more effort so as to gain an upper hand over others (kiasu-positive) or to act in ways to prevent others from getting ahead of them (kiasu-negative). The impact of this attitude on in-class and out-of-class feedback-seeking behaviors is examined.