Job resources and thriving sequentially explain the effects of on- and off-the-job embeddedness on performance

Purpose The present research uses conservation of resources (COR) theory to test the indirect relationships between on-the-job (On-JE) and off-the-job (Off-JE) embeddedness and job performance via sequential mediation of job resources and thriving. Design/methodology/approach Three-wave survey data were collected from 340 employees and their supervisors (n = 111) from private and public organizations in India. Findings Data support a serial mediation framework, in which job resources and thriving sequentially mediate the positive relationships between On-JE and Off-JE and performance. Supplemental tests reveal that the indirect effect is stronger for On-JE. Although the results are consistent with theoretically-ordered indirect associations, they do not establish causality. Future research is needed to address the potential for bi-directional causation. Originality/value These findings extend prior COR-based explanations in two ways: first, they provide a more explicit test of resource-based mechanisms and processes linking On-JE and Off-JE with performance. Second, they support a sequential, “gain-spiral” process by which these mechanisms relate On-JE and Off-JE with performance. Our supplemental tests also suggest that On-JE may be more salient for the acquisition of job resources relative to Off-JE.