The role of supervisor support in reducing burnout and turnover intention: an empirical study of creative work involvement

Purpose This paper aims to propose and test a moderated mediation model that examines how employee burnout affects creative work involvement (CWI) through turnover intention (TI), while emphasising the moderating role of supervisor support. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 279 non-managerial expatriates from various nationalities working in SME private sector companies in Dubai was conducted. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences PROCESS macro was used to evaluate the proposed hypotheses, and the overall model was tested using analysis of moment structures. Findings The results indicate that TI was positively influenced by burnout. The results also show that increased supervisor support reduced the effect of the relationship between TI and CWI. However, expatriates’ national cultures also influence their behaviour, potentially creating a blend of cultural dynamics. Originality/value This study emphasises reducing employee turnover caused by burnout in collectivist cultures through various training programmes, highlighting the importance of culture, organisational context and regular employee surveys for global SMEs. Previous research shows that strong supervisor support lowers employee burnout and enhances creative work engagement. However, limited studies have explored the moderated mediation between affective responses and positive outcomes. The study breaks new ground by examining how TI (a negative outcome) mediates this link, considering unique cultural factors in expatriate settings, as well as by extending job demands–resources theory to encompass employee burnout, TI, CWI and supervisor support.