Exploring supervisor and organizational support as predictors of commitment, satisfaction and conversion intention of business interns: testing a mediated path

Purpose This article presents results of an empirical analysis examining student perceptions of supervisor support and organizational support as predictors of intern organizational commitment, internship job satisfaction and conversion intention. Design/methodology/approach The study involved surveying 160 students serving as interns who are enrolled in business programs at a Midwest US university. This research examined the perceived level of support that students experienced during their internship and the relationships that different types of support had on key outcomes. Findings Results from partial least squares path modeling indicate significant direct effects that perceived supervisor and organizational support have on the aforementioned outcomes. Moreover, perceived organizational support fully mediated the relationship between perceived supervisor support and the outcomes. This research demonstrates that organizations may leave a larger impression on students than do supervisors during business internships (i.e. temporary employment). Originality/value Results add to contemporary literature by concluding that the positive supporting influence that supervisors have on internship outcomes is augmented by organizational support, which can aid employers and faculty in their design of internship programs.