Perceived Organisational Support - An Overview On
Perceived Organisational Support - An Overview On
Perceived Organisational Support - An Overview On
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ABSTRACT
Research on perceived organizational support began with the observation that if managers are
concerned with their employees‘ commitment to the organization, employees are focused on the
organization‘s commitment to them. For employees, the organization serves as an important
source of socio-emotional resources, such as respect and caring, and tangible benefits, such as
wages and medical benefits. Being regarded highly by the organization, it helps to meet
employees‘ needs for approval, esteem, and affiliation. Positive valuation by the organization
also provides an indication that increased effort will be noted and rewarded. Employees therefore
take an active interest in the regard with which they are held by their employer.
Organizational support theory (OST: Eisenberger, Huntington, Hutchinson, & Sowa, 1986;
Rhoades & Eisenberger, 2002; Shore & Shore, 1995) holds that in order to meet socioemotional
needs and to assess the benefits of increased work effort, employees form a general perception
concerning the extent to which the organization values their contributions and cares about their
well-being. Such perceived organizational support (POS) would increase employees‘ felt
obligation to help the organization reach its objectives, their affective commitment to the
organization, and their expectation that improved performance would be rewarded. Behavioral
outcomes of POS would include increases in in-role and extra-role performance and decreases in
stress and withdrawal behaviors such as absenteeism and turnover.
3. To find out the various consequences of Perceived Organisational Support based on existing
research literature.
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
The Conclusion of the current study is it will help to find out the important factors and their
contribution to enhance the organisational core competency through Perceived Organisational
Support.
INTRODUCTION
Perceived organizational support (POS) is an employee belief that the organization cares
for and values his or her contribution to the success of the organization.
Research on perceived organizational support (POS) began with the observation that if
managers are concerned with their employees‘ commitment to the organization, employees are
focused on the organization‘s commitment to them (Eisenberger, Huntington, Hutchinson, &
Sowa, 1986.
Although there were relatively few studies of POS until the mid 1990‘s, research on the
topic has burgeoned in the last few years. Rhoades and Eisenberger‘s (2002) meta-analysis
covered some 70 POS studies carried out through 1999, and over 180 studies have been
performed since. The meta-analysis found clear and consistent relationships of POS with its
predicted antecedents and consequences.
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
The research literature indicates that POS is positively related to a number of outcomes
favorable to both the organization and the individual namely conscientiousness in carrying out
conventional job responsibilities, organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Therefore the
level of POS of employees needs to be constantly reviewed to ensure favorable outcomes to the
organization which ultimately leads to profitability.
In the absence of direct rewards, the organization can introduce measures to increase the
level of POS among employees to reduce turnover and increase retention. Therefore the
determinants of POS have to be analysed to introduce measures to increase the level of POS.
There is also evidence that organizations taking actions to convince employees that the
organization values their contributions and cares about their well-being offers an effective
countermeasure against the de-motivating effects of employee cynicism and skepticism.
Therefore in order to take such actions the level of POS needs to be studied.
Interventions designed to address the antecedents of POS are more likely to be successful
in increasing organizational commitment of its members as well as the quality of their work life.
Hence the study on POS is needed to generate favorable outcomes for both the organization and
the employees.
According to the study done on antecedents and consequences of POS by Sathish kumar,
the factors influencing are as explained below:
Rewards and job conditions (e.g., job stress, growth opportunities, etc.)
CONSEQUENCES OF POS
Organizational commitment
Job satisfaction
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
Task performance
The meta-analysis of research on POS, carried out by Rhoades and Eisenberger (2002)
indicated that three general categories of favorable treatment received by employees are
positively related to POS
fairness of treatment
supervisors support
Outcomes favored by employees are increased job satisfaction, positive mood, reduced
stress and by the organization increased affective commitment, performance and reduced
turnover.
A study was done on ‗The effects of work stressors, perceived organizational support and
gender on work family conflict in Hong-Kong‘ by Sharon Foley, Ngo Hang-yue and Steven Lui.
This study examined the direct and moderating effects of perceived organizational support (POS)
and gender on the relationship between work stressors and work-family conflict for a sample of
Hong Kong Chinese employees. POS is negatively related to both FWC (family-to-work
conflict) and WFC (work-to-family conflict). Work stressors (including role ambiguity, role
conflict, and role overload) are positively related to FWC and WFC.
citizenship behavior: The mediating role of affective commitment towards the parent company‘
by Yuwen Liu. Results indicate that perceived organizational support (POS) from both the parent
company and the subsidiary significantly related to affective commitment and organizational-
directed OCB.
According to the literature survey, it is found that higher levels of POS, in turn, resulted
in lower turnover intention, and a sense of obligation within the individuals to reciprocate the
organization with better job performance and increased OCBs, as well as stronger organizational
commitment. In addition, the effects of POS on turnover intention, felt obligation, and
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
The effects of POS on turnover intention, felt obligation, and organizational commitment
were found to be moderated by professional commitment. The findings of this study shed some
light on the process through which the implementation of appropriate HR practices may
influence employee attitudes and behaviors.
However, a review of both the POS literature and the HR literature point to the
importance of research on the linkage between HR practices and POS. In the POS literature,
Shore and Shore (1995) identified two types of HR practices that are key to the development of
higher POS: (1) discretionary practices that imply organizational caring but are not mandated by
company policy or union contract, and (2) HR practices that symbolize organizational
recognition of the employee‘s contribution. This proposition suggests that those HR practices
that represent different ways in which the organization shows concern for the employees and
values their contributions may be particularly critical for the development of high POS.
Furthermore, if organizations were to employ HR practices to show support for employees, in
order to motivate positive employee attitudes and behaviors, theories of motivation become
critically relevant in guiding this effort.
In the motivation literature, Alderfer‘s (1972) ERG theory offers ―a useful way of
thinking about employee motivation‖ (Steers, Porter, & Bigley, 1996, p. 17). Alderfer‘s theory
conceptualizes three elements of human needs that are relevant to organizational settings and
which may operate simultaneously. ERG theory (Alderfer, 1972) holds that individuals attempt
to satisfy three levels of needs in organizations: (1) needs that are based on human existence,
which are mainly physiological needs (existence); (2) needs that are associated with
interpersonal relationships in the workplace (relatedness); and (3) needs that are related to the
development of human potential and capabilities (growth).
Accordingly, several HR practices are very important in showing support for employees
to satisfy these needs. First, satisfactory pay is necessary for meeting individuals‘ physiological
or existence needs. Second, growth needs can be met by sufficient career development
opportunities that help employees extend their potential and expand their capabilities. Third, HR
practices that provide social support, such as helping employees maintain good work and family
relationships and develop positive leader-member exchange relationships, can be instrumental in
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fulfilling employees‘ need for relatedness. Therefore, the HR practices chosen to investigate as
antecedents of POS include: pay level, career development opportunities, work-family support
and leader member exchange (LMX).
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
ANTECEDENTS OF POS
On the basis of the earlier literature survey it can be explained that the major important factor-
antecedants of POS are under the following heads.
Organizational support theory holds that favorable rewards indicate the organization
values the employees‘ contribution to the organization, which constitutes a major dimension of
POS. Specifically, it is argued that such organizational rewards represent investment by the
organization in the employee and are interpreted by the employee as indication of organizational
appreciation and recognition, and thus, contribute to the development of POS.
In addition to meeting physiological needs, employees also have a desire to extend their
potential and develop their capabilities in organizations and to satisfy their needs for growth and
self-actualization. Thus, another way that HR practices can create employee beliefs in higher
POS is through providing them developmental opportunities that would meet their needs for
personal growth.
WORK-FAMILY SUPPORT
Another HR practice that can meet employee needs, and thus, increase POS is work-
family support. POS may be related to organizational actions that strengthen employee beliefs
that the organization would provide sympathetic understanding and material aid to deal with
stressful situations at work or home. These factors would help meet the need for emotional
support and interpersonal relationships, thus enhancing employee POS. It is very likely that if the
organization provides a high level of work-family support, the employees will consider the
organization as more considerate of their well-being and being more supportive.
Since the supervisor often acts as an agent of the organization to direct discretionary
rewards and to evaluate the employees‘ contribution, while these discretionary rewards and
evaluations are key to POS, the treatment an employee receives from the supervisor tends to www.zenithresearch.org.in
contribute to employee perceptions of the support he or she receives from the organization. Thus,
it is believed that the level of leader-member exchange (LMX) or supervisory support bears a
positive relationship to POS.
LMX is the only leadership approach to consider the dyadic relationship of leader and
follower and the exchanges that determine organizational effectiveness. The relationship
between the leaders and members, not only affects employee performance, but also can affect the
relationship between employees and organizations. LMX is very important for the employees -
organizational relationships.
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
Eisenberger and colleagues (1986) theorized that discretionary rewards linked with job
performance were particularly likely to affect POS. Given that leaders are often charged with
administering such rewards, and also that empirical research has shown that POS is associated
with leader support (Tetrick, Shore, & Miles, 1994), LMX may contribute to POS. In support of
this view, Sheridan and colleagues (1990) research based on signaling theory suggests that
employees with certain types of early career experiences are more likely than others to be
sponsored by senior managers and in turn receive more promotions and transfers and larger
raises. Thus, POS is based on a history of rewards that may be administered by an immediate
superior (past or present) as well as by managers at higher organizational levels.
Even though both POS and LMX are based on social exchange frameworks, research
investigating these two constructs has developed independently. Study brought POS and LMX
together in an integrated model of social exchange and also provided evidence of the
distinctiveness of POS and LMX and suggested that both types of exchanges are important and
influence different outcomes.
However the quality of leader member exchange appears to have a stronger effect on
perceived organizational support, indicating that LMX plays a key role in affecting employees‘
perceptions of organizational support. Consistent with Eisenberger and colleagues‘ (1986)
conceptualization, because the leader is often the source or change between the leader and
subordinate may influence POS.
An important factor that may influence these reactions is one‘s attitudes towards one‘s
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profession or vocation. In the literature, to some degree, career commitment, occupational
commitment, and professional commitment have been used interchangeably to refer to one‘s
commitment to the profession or occupation.
Shore and Shore (1995) suggested that human resources practices showing recognition of
employee contributions should be positively related to POS. A variety of rewards and job
conditions have been studied in relation to POS—for example, recognition, pay, promotions, job
security, autonomy, role stressors, and training. According to organizational support theory,
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
FIGURE 1
A
Career Development
N
Opportunities
T
T
Organisational Size
S
Procedural Justice
ORGANIZATION SIZE
It is argued that individuals feel less valued in large organizations, where highly www.zenithresearch.org.in
formalized polices and procedures may reduce flexibility in dealing with employees‘ individual
needs. Even though large organizations, as small ones, can show benevolence to groups of
employees, the reduced flexibility for meeting the needs of individual employees, imparted by
formal rules, could reduce POS.
PROCEDURAL JUSTICE
Procedural justice refers to the idea of fairness in the processes that resolve disputes and
allocate resources. Perceived organizational support plays a mediating role in linking perceptions
of Procedural Justice and Organisational Citizenship Behaviour. Eisenberger, Fasolo and Davis –
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
CONSEQUENCES OF POS
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT
Another important organizational outcome that might result from POS is commitment to
the organization. As organizational support theory suggests, POS, which is an indicator of the
organization‘s commitment to the employee, creates an obligation within the employee to care
about the organization and reciprocate with commitment and loyalty. Organizational actions
indicating caring of and concern for employees may enhance organizational commitment.
On the basis of the reciprocity norm, POS should create a felt obligation to care about the
organization‘s welfare. The obligation to exchange caring for caring should enhance employees‘
affective commitment to the personified organization. POS should also increase affective
commitment by fulfilling such socio-emotional needs as affiliation and emotional support. Such
need fulfillment produces a strong sense of belonging to the organization, involving the
incorporation of employees‘ membership and role status into their social identity (refer fig.2).
JOB-RELATED AFFECT
POS has been hypothesized to influence employees‘ general affective reactions to their
job, including job satisfaction and positive mood. Job satisfaction refers to employees‘ overall
affect laden attitude toward their job. POS should contribute to overall job satisfaction by
meeting socio-emotional needs, increasing performance-reward expectancies, and signaling the
availability of aid when needed. Positive mood differs conceptually from job satisfaction in that www.zenithresearch.org.in
it involves a general emotional state without a specific object. Mood has been proposed as the
state component of affectivity, influenced by environment. POS may contribute to employees‘
feelings of competence and worth, thus enhancing positive mood.
JOB INVOLVEMENT
Job involvement refers to identification with and interest in the specific work one
performs Perceived competence has been found to be related to task interest. By enhancing
employees‘ perceived competence, POS might increase employees‘ interest in their work.
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
PERFORMANCE
POS should increase performance of standard job activities and actions favorable to the
organization that go beyond assigned responsibilities. Such activities include aiding fellow
employees, taking actions that protect the organization from risk, offering constructive
suggestions, and gaining knowledge and skills that are beneficial to the organization. One can
divide those behaviors into those that are focused on helping coworkers and those that help the
organization.
STRAINS
DESIRE TO REMAIN
It is examined the relationship between POS and employees‘ desire to remain with the
organization. It is assessed workers‘ propensity to leave the organization if offered slightly
higher pay, more professional freedom or status, or friendlier coworkers. Desire to remain should
be distinguished from the discomforting perception of being trapped in an organization because
of the high costs of leaving (i.e., continuance commitment).
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
FIGURE 2
Organisational
Commitment
Job related
affect C
O
Job involvement
N
S
Performance E
Q
POS
Strains U
E
Desire to remain
N
Turnover E
Intention
S
Withdrawal
behaviour www.zenithresearch.org.in
TURNOVER INTENTION
Social exchange theory and organizational support theory suggest that employees who
receive high levels of support from the organization are inclined to repay the organization. One
essential way to reciprocate the organization‘s favorable treatment is through continued
participation. As literature argued ground work on the inducements-contributions relationship
between the organization and the employees also indicates that employees who receive more
support as part of the inducements offered by the organization would have less desire to leave the
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol.2 Issue 4, April 2012, ISSN 2231 5780
organization. POS research provides some evidence in support of this proposition. For example,
Guzzo et al. (1994) found that expatriate managers who perceive higher levels of support from
the organization were less likely to seek employment elsewhere. The negative relationship
between POS and turnover intention was also evident in some other studies (refer fig.2).
WITHDRAWAL BEHAVIOR
CONCLUSION
The concept of the Perceived Organizational Support will help to find out the important
factors and their contribution to enhance the organizational core competency. It will also
facilitate a theoretical model for future evaluation of employee - employer relationship. It will
suggest the measures to improve the relationship between management and employees.
By linking employee perceptions of a variety of HR practices with POS, this study ridges
the human resource management and organizational behavior literatures, and provides guidance
on how organizations can foster high levels of perceived support via implementation of
appropriate HR practices. The findings on the significant effects of POS on important work
outcomes demonstrate the importance of POS research and the need for organizations to provide
adequate support to their employees. Further, the fact that employee reactions to POS depend on
their different levels of professional commitment illustrates the necessity for researchers to
consider individual differences in POS research and for organizations to pay attention to
employees‘ professional needs and attitudes.
REFERENCES