Reducing employee turnover intentions in the service sector: The connection between human resource development practices and employee engagement

Abstract

Employee engagement has been researched extensively in the management and human resource development (HRD) literature. However, the relationship between employee perceptions of HRD practices, engagement, and turnover intentions has not been sufficiently studied. In response, this two-study research examined the extent to which employees' perceived support for participation in HRD practices (PSHRD), engagement, and turnover intent were associated with each other in the service sector. Two samples (n_{Study 1} = 490 and n_{Study 2} = 511) of U.S. service sector employees were used. Using structural equation modeling, the results of both studies confirmed the theorized partially mediated model. Study 2 expanded on the initial model by adding the moderating variable positive reciprocity beliefs between PSHRD and emotional engagement, which has not yet been empirically tested. However, the moderator was found to be statistically insignificant. Implications for HRD theory, practice, and future research are discussed.