Occupational identity, work, and burnout among managers: Do high performance human resource management practices play a moderator role?

Abstract This study seeks to examine the association between managers’ occupational identity, high performance management practices, and managers’ burnout. We propose a theoretical model that integrates identity theory into stress and human resource management research. We investigate the proposition that a weak verification of manager’s identity will be associated with a higher level of burnout, and that high-performance human resource management practices (HPHRMPs) moderate this association. Data came from SALVEO, a cross-sectional study conducted in the province of Quebec (Canada). Data were obtained from 314 managers nested in 56 workplaces. The results show a significant association between a low level of verification of some standards of the manager’s identity and burnout, mainly work demands and recognition. Thus, a low level of identity verification regarding work demands is associated with a low level of burnout. While a low level of identity verification regarding recognition is associated with a high level of burnout. HPHRMPs do not moderate the relation between managers’ verification of occupational identity and burnout. Seldom are studies that have analyzed the link between managers’ occupational identity, burnout, and HPHRMPs. By integrating the theory of identity, the theoretical model developed in this research offers a new perspective to explain managers’ burnout.