Investigating the impact of person-organization fit on employee well-being in uncertain conditions: a study in three central European countries

Purpose

The objective of this research is to explore the relationship between person-organization fit and employee well-being in the context of uncertainty across three Central European countries: Lithuania, Slovakia and Hungary.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a survey-based approach to gather primary data from Lithuania, Slovakia and Hungary, resulting in a total of 1,140 respondents. The survey utilized a structured questionnaire designed with a five-point Likert scale. The questionnaire consisted of three main sections: person-organization fit, employee well-being and demographic information. Person-organization fit was assessed through a 3-item scale, while employee well-being was evaluated using an 18-item scale that included 3 dimensions: life well-being, workplace well-being and psychological well-being. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the survey data.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal significant positive relationships between person-organization fit and three dimensions of employee well-being – life well-being, workplace well-being and psychological well-being – in three Central European countries: Lithuania, Slovakia and Hungary. Notably, there were discernible differences between Hungary and Lithuania, as well as between Slovakia and Lithuania. Conversely, no significant distinctions were observed between Hungary and Slovakia in relation to these variables.

Originality/value

This research has the potential to shed light on how the alignment between individual values and organizational values impacts employee well-being, particularly within the context of volatile periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This understanding can guide organizations in fostering a work environment that supports employees. Furthermore, the results of this study create the prospect of providing actionable guidance to organizations aiming to strengthen their approaches for enhancing employee well-being across dimensions such as life well-being, workplace well-being and psychological well-being.