The adverse effect of materialism on employee engagement in China

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of materialism on employee engagement in China. Mediating role of employees’ autonomy need satisfaction in workplace was also examined. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 217 employees from various companies located across 19 provinces and towns in China. These participants completed three self-report scales, including materialistic values, employee engagement and autonomy need satisfaction at work. Pearson correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze data. Findings Results revealed that as hypothesized, autonomy need satisfaction at work fully mediated the effects of materialism on employee engagement. Research limitations/implications The study was limited by identifying the measure of materialism that is not robust at an organizational and national level. Similarly, lack of existing literature including use of cross-sectional research design around materialism also added to the limitations of this study. Limitations aside, the current study suggests that increasing materialism within Chinese organizations is likely to exert potentially significant adverse effects on employee engagement and, hence, the overall quality of work. Originality/value The current study has empirically discovered a possible relationship between materialism and employee engagement, which is rarely examined in previous studies. In addition, the study also proposes a psychological mechanism through which materialistic values can influence employee engagement. The findings are practically important to human resource management practices in China and theoretically important for the exploration of antecedents of employee engagement.