Uncovering curvilinear relationships between job security and intrinsic motivation among state-owned hotel employees: the moderating role of position level

Purpose Drawing on expectancy theory, this study examines how job security affects employees' intrinsic motivation, which in turn influences their occupational growth and service innovation. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods research design was adopted. Study 1 employed a two-wave, time-lagged survey over one month in a state-owned hotel in China. Study 2 comprised semi-structured interviews to provide qualitative insights. Findings Job security exhibits an inverted U-shaped relationship with intrinsic motivation: moderate levels are most conducive to fostering intrinsic motivation, which in turn enhances occupational growth and service innovation. Moreover, position level moderates this curvilinear relationship. Practical implications Job security alone does not guarantee motivation or innovation in state-owned hotels. Managers should balance stability with performance-linked advancement, developmental opportunities and structured innovation mechanisms. Originality/value The effects of job security have long been debated: Does it consistently yield positive outcomes? In practice, particularly within state-owned hotels where employees often enjoy high job security, low proactivity and limited service innovation are commonly observed. This study offers insights into the complex and dynamic nature of job security's impact on employee motivation and performance in state-owned hotels.