Disaster or chance? The double-edged effect of crisis strength on employees

Purpose Grounded in the event system theory and the stressor-detachment model, this study aims to investigate how crisis strength differentially influences employee fatigue via a detrimental emotional process, namely, affective rumination, and job performance via a constructive cognitive process, namely, problem-solving pondering, with family support serving as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach The authors examined the hypotheses across two studies (Study 1: an experiment and Study 2: a multi-wave field study). Findings Study 1 demonstrated that crisis strength could promote problem-solving pondering and affective rumination, and that family support moderated the relationship between crisis strength and affective rumination. Study 2 replicated these relationships and examined their distal outcomes. Specifically, crisis strength increased employee fatigue through affective rumination and enhanced job performance through problem-solving pondering. Family support further moderated the indirect relationship between crisis strength and employee fatigue through affective rumination. Practical implications Hospitality organizations should not treat crises solely as threats but also as potential catalysts for employee growth and resilience. Originality/value While crisis strength has been linked to negative outcomes for hospitality employees, this study extends the literature by examining its double-edged effects.