Social network characteristics and employee performance: the mediating role of employee subjective well-being

Purpose The primary aim of this research is to examine the relationship between social network characteristics (SNC) and employee performance (EP) in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Additionally, it investigates the mediating role of subjective well-being (SWB) in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach A survey strategy was employed. Data were collected from 255 private sector employees using a simple random sampling method. The collected data were tested using the SPSS programme, e.g. regression analysis and Barron and Kenny’s test. Findings The results of hypothesis testing indicate that SNC are significantly associated with SWB and EP. Moreover, SWB significantly mediated the relationship between SNC and EP. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of this study is its focus on the private sector of the UAE. The quantitative nature of the research also poses some limitations. Practical implications Human resources practitioners should prioritise the facilitation of opportunities that enable employees to cultivate both formal and informal workplace networks, thereby enhancing collaboration, knowledge exchange and overall organisational cohesion. Social implications The study can be of strategic importance to organisations in the UAE, which is a melting pot of over 200 nationalities. Understanding how employees develop and utilise formal and informal workplace networks can provide valuable insights into network dynamics within the private sector. Originality/value The research is one of the few studies that explores EP and SWB in the private organisations of the UAE from the perspective of social capital. It examines employee SNC and work-related outcomes in the UAE context, where societal and cultural values regarding the strength of employee ties and the development of social networks differ significantly from those in the West.