The Near Abasement of Uganda Hotels’ Staff Altruistic Behaviour by COVID-19 Pandemic: A Relief Model

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the relationship between employee optimism, status competitiveness, interpersonal adaptability and employee altruism during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, it examined the mediating effect of interpersonal adaptability and employee optimism in the stated relationship. A quantitative study was conducted using a sample of 303 respondents that constituted both managers and employees from 70 selected hotels in Uganda shortly after the end of the first lockdown in July, 2020. The associated hypotheses were tested using the Smart-PLS 3.2 software. Once employees are optimistic, undergo free and fair competition for any position, and feel that they freely interact with one another, then they are bound to devote themselves to the welfare of one another at all costs. It examined employee optimism, status competitiveness, and interpersonal adaptability as explanations of employee altruism. This is in addition to the mediation effect of interpersonal adaptability and employee optimism in the stated relationship. In terms of its value, when employees have positive expectations regardless of the current challenges they undergo, there is fair competition for all positions in the organization, and that they interact freely, they can offer help for others’ welfare. Keywords: employee optimism, status competitiveness, interpersonal adaptability, employee altruism, organizational citizenship behavior and COVID-19