How psychological safety influences intention to leave? The mediation roles of networking ability and relational job crafting

Abstract

Drawing on the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and the social capital approach, this study aims at examining a serial mediation model to explore why employees intend to leave their organization by taking into consideration psychological safety, networking ability and relational job crafting. We tested our research hypotheses with the data obtained from 218 employees working in different sectors. The results revealed that (1) psychological safety is negatively associated with intention to leave, and (2) networking ability and relational job crafting serially mediate the link between psychological safety and intention to leave. This study presents crucial evidence for organizations to retain and engage employees by justifying the importance and effects of building social relationships in the workplace.