Authentic leadership and employees’ job performance: mediation effect of positive employee health

Abstract

In light of global competition and the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations are encountering an increasingly challenging and unpredictable environment. Consequently, employees are experiencing heightened levels of job strain. This study aims to explore the impact of various organizational mechanisms on promoting positive employee health within the organization, ultimately affecting employees' job performance. The findings of this study indicate that authentic leadership and the absence of organizational politics are significant predictors of positive employee health. Moreover, positive employee health has a positive influence on supervisor-rated job performance through its effect on job engagement. This study serves as a valuable resource for organizations, shedding light on the fundamental factors that contribute to positive employee health. It also raises managers' awareness of the importance of nurturing and sustaining employees' emotional and physical well-being to maintain competitiveness in the market. © 2023 Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.