Mediating Role of Psychosocial Factors on the Relationship between Downsizing and Employees’ Commitment to Work among Federal Civil Servants in Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the mediating role of psychosocial factors on the relationship between employee’s perception of downsizing exercise and their commitment to work in selected public sector establishments in Nigeria.
The study employed descriptive survey design and a Multi- stage sampling technique was adopted. Purposive sampling technique was used to select six Federal Government establishments in Abuja and Lagos State. Using stratified random sampling, a total of 604 respondents comprising (58.9%) males and (41.1%) females were selected from these establishments. Data were collected through the administration of standardized psychological tests: General Perception of Downsizing (GPD), Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS), and Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ). Data collected were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics.
The results showed a significant positive relationship between employee’s perception of downsizing and their work commitment (r = 0.17; p< 0.05). That is, employee’s perception of downsizing exercise influenced their commitment to work. The results also showed that employees’ perception of downsizing was significantly related to psychosocial factors, i.e. Self-Concept (r = 0.25; p<0.01); and Length of Service (r = 0.11; p<0.01). Furthermore, the results showed that Self-Concept and Length of service significantly and independently mediated the relationship between employee’s perception of downsizing and their commitment to work, (β = 0.36; t = 9.24; p<0.01); and (β = 0.14; t = 3.56; p<0.01) respectively.
The study concluded that employees’ perception of downsizing related to their commitment to work. This relationship was, however, mediated by employees’ self-concept and length of service.