Antecedents of employee performance and organizational citizenship behavior in hybrid work models: an empirical study in the Chinese context

Abstract

This dissertation explores the antecedents of employee performance and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in the context of hybrid work models within the Chinese internet industry, a setting rapidly adopting flexible work arrangements post-COVID-19 pandemic. The study is motivated by the shifting paradigms in work environments where traditional remote work’s limitations are mitigated by hybrid models—blending remote and in-office work. Utilizing Conservation of Resource (COR) theory and Social Exchange Theory (SET), this research constructs a robust theoretical framework to examine how psychological safety, perceived organizational support (POS), tangible organizational support (TOS), and work-life balance influence OCB and employee performance in hybrid settings. Empirical data were collected from several large Chinese internet companies that have implemented hybrid working models. Through structural equation modeling, the study validates the hypothesized relationships, highlighting the significant mediating role of OCB between psychological safety, POS, and employee performance. Key findings demonstrate that enhanced psychological safety and comprehensive organizational support foster a conducive environment for OCB, which in turn leads to improved employee performance. Moreover, the results indicate that effective management of work-life balance in hybrid models amplifies employee productivity and well-being. This dissertation contributes to the organizational behavior literature by delineating the dynamics of hybrid work models and their impact on employee outcomes in a major emerging economy. The findings provide practical insights for organizational leaders aiming to optimize hybrid work strategies, emphasizing the necessity of supporting mechanisms that enhance employee engagement and performance. Future research directions are proposed to explore longitudinal impacts and the generalizability of the findings across different cultural contexts.