Happy female employees in the making: exploring how job crafting mediates the effect of professional development leadership in promoting their happiness and employability

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how professional development leadership (PDL) and job crafting (JC) shape sustainable employability (SE) and happiness at work (HAW) among female employees, particularly in emerging economies. It also examines how JC mediates the role of PDL on female employees’ SE and work happiness. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on social exchange theory and the job demands-resources theory, the study adopts quantitative research methods to collect data from 238 female employees in small firms in India (n = 126) and Yemen (n = 112). The data were analysed in partial least squares structural equation modelling to test the study hypotheses. Findings The findings indicated that PDL does not have a direct effect on HAW among Indian and Yemeni female employees (YFEs), while it has a significant effect on SE only among Indian female employees (IFEs). Moreover, it significantly affects JC and its dimensions among IFEs and YFEs. Furthermore, JC significantly mediates the effect of PDL on HAW and SE among Indian and YFEs. Originality/value The study brings a unique aspect to the literature, which is the perspective of female employees engaging in JC and leadership practices that foster SE and workplace happiness. This aspect is drawn from two distinct economic contexts: a developing and a resource-constrained economy. This highlights the need for policy, training and interventions to be adopted in small firms to cultivate professional development priorities along with crafting roles and responsibilities to align with female employees’ preferences, capabilities and satisfaction.