The effect of Zhong-yong thinking to employee survival ability: taking Chinese employees as an example

Abstract

PurposeZhong-yong thinking is a code of conduct of the Chinese people. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship among Zhong-yong thinking, social capital, knowledge sharing behavior, and employee survival ability.Design/methodology/approachZhong-yong thinking including multi-thinking, integration and harmony, taking a case study of private enterprise in Guangxi of China. Based on the literature, the establishment of the theoretical model and hierarchical regression analysis are explored.FindingsThe multi-thinking, integration and harmony of Zhong-yong thinking have a significant positive effect on social capital and employee survival ability. In addition, employee survival ability is positively affected by social capital. Moreover, knowledge sharing behavior has a positive moderating between the multi-thinking dimension of Zhong-yong thinking and social capital, and the remaining dimensions have no moderating effect. Knowledge sharing behavior has no moderating effect on the relationship between social capital and employee survival ability.Practical implicationsZhong-yong thinking and social capital are actively affecting employee survival ability. Therefore, companies need to work harder to improve their employees' Zhong-yong thinking and social capital.Originality/valueThe paper extends Zhong-yong thinking, social capital and employee survival ability literature to fill gaps in how China people require to both access employee survival ability. The policy value of the work is in suggesting ways to facilitate employee survival ability of China.

The Effect of Confucianism on Job Crafting Using Psychological Contract Fulfilment as the Mediating Variable and Distributive Justice as the Moderating Variable

“…Indeed, as a key cultural value rooted in traditional Chinese society, Confucianism still has a lingering influence on employees’ attitudinal and behavioral outcomes in contemporary workplaces. 14 Our research findings contribute to this literature and indicate that Confucianism serves as a micro-foundation for employee sustainability that enhances their job crafting.…”

“…This finding lends support to the prevalent belief that Zhong Yong thinking (Confucianism) enhances employees’ survivability. 14 Job crafting in this research includes three distinct, but interrelated components: task crafting; cognitive crafting, and relational crafting. We found that the greater the psychological contract fulfilment, the greater the task crafting and cognitive crafting.…”

“… 18 Decorum (Li) is the norm for people’s daily behavior. 14 Thus, the meaning of loyalty (Zhong) is akin to doing one’s best, while magnimity (Shu) implies consideration and reciprocation of others’ feelings. 18 Trust (Xin) or promise is one of the core ideas of Confucianism.…”

“…Harmony indicates that individuals act in a congenial manner. 14 Zhong Yong thinking is representative of Confucianism, 15 which affects employees’ behavioral intentions. 16 Largely, Confucianism includes five aspects: values; benevolence; justice; courtesy; knowledge, and integrity.…”

Effects of health-promoting leadership, employee health on employee engagement: employability as moderating variable

“…Employability is similar to the employee's survivability, which is defined as the ability to continue employment and gain re-employment (Zhang and Chen, 2020). Employability is also regarded as related to employee assets (De Cuyper et al , 2011a), employees with high employability know how to effectively enhance their working value and consider employability as the key to job security (Kirves et al , 2014).…”