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The Contingent Effects of Role Ambiguity and Role Novelty on Expatriates' Work-related Outcomes

Kawai, Norifumi, Mohr, Alex (2015) The Contingent Effects of Role Ambiguity and Role Novelty on Expatriates' Work-related Outcomes. British Journal of Management, 26 (2). pp. 163-181. ISSN 1045-3172. E-ISSN 1467-8551. (doi:10.1111/1467-8551.12089) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:80024)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12089

Abstract

Research on work stress has highlighted its negative outcomes for both individuals and their employers. Overseas assignments are more stressful than domestic assignments, and their relatively high failure rates are well documented. We suggest, however, that certain types of stress can positively affect expatriate performance. Based on role theory and the distinction between hindrance and challenge stressors, we develop hypotheses regarding the influence of role ambiguity and role novelty on expatriate success. We also conceptualize and empirically investigate the moderating influence of expatriates' perceptions of organizational support and supervisor support. Our hypotheses are tested using a sample of 125 Japanese expatriate managers in Germany. We find that role ambiguity is a hindrance stressor and negatively affects job satisfaction and work adjustment, while role novelty acts as a challenge stressor and positively affects job satisfaction, task performance and work adjustment. Our findings also show that perceived organizational support attenuates the negative effects of role ambiguity on work adjustment and strengthens the positive effect of role novelty on job satisfaction. We also find that supervisor support positively moderates the positive effect of role novelty on job satisfaction and work adjustment.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/1467-8551.12089
Uncontrolled keywords: work stress, expatriate workers
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5351 Business
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Kent Business School (do not use)
Depositing User: Alex Mohr
Date Deposited: 11 Feb 2020 10:04 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 11:02 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/80024 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Mohr, Alex.

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