An investigation into the correlates of collective psychological ownership in organizational context

Associations between psychological ownership and the service impact among Chinese disability support workers

Ambiguous perceptions of job roles by service providers may lead to poor service quality. This study sought to examine the relationship between role ambiguity and service impact among disability support workers, and further, to compare the mediating effects of job-based and collective psychological ownership in the role ambiguity-service impact link. Data were derived from a longitudinal survey conducted in 56 cities in mainland China in 2019. 1153 social workers working in disability and rehabilitation services sectors completed the questionnaire. Structural equation modeling analyses and bootstrapping were applied to test the proposed model. The results revealed that role ambiguity is a risk factor for disability support workers' service impact. Furthermore, psychological ownership serves mediating roles in the relationship between role ambiguity and service impact among disability support workers. Even more, job-based psychological ownership plays a more critical buffering role than collective psychological ownership does among Chinese disability support workers experiencing role ambiguity. The main findings imply that human service organizations in China face the dilemma of insufficient organizational capacity, with employees tending to resolve problems by relying more on their own resources than organizational resources. Therefore, policymakers and human service organizations should develop the organizational capacity of human service organizations to help employees overcome role ambiguity.

30 years of psychological ownership theory: a bibliometric review and guide for management scholars

Purpose

This study systematically reviews the literature on psychological ownership theory since its inception 30 years ago. Psychological ownership describes why and how individuals inform their identities by taking ownership. The authors provide guidance and support to management scholars to access the field and make meaningful contributions to the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A variety of bibliometric techniques for performance analyses and science mapping is implemented to examine quantitative bibliographic data of 178 studies on psychological ownership. The data are obtained from Web of Science. The VOSviewer science mapping framework is employed to perform the analyses.

Findings

Co-authorship, citation and keyword co-occurrence networks indicate the social structures, most influential authors, publications and journals, as well as topics of past research and avenues for future investigation in the field of psychological ownership. While the authors of the seminal studies Pierce et al. (2001, 2003) have shaped the field over the past decades, the future of psychological ownership research requires stronger collaborations across the globe to advance the field from the individual level to the group and organization level.

Originality/value

This study is the first to comprehensively analyze the management literature on psychological ownership from a historical perspective using a systematic approach, bibliometric procedures and quantitative data. Insightful guidance and avenues for future investigation are offered to move psychological ownership research forward.

Study Protocol of Brief Daily Body-Mind-Spirit Practice for Sustainable Emotional Capacity and Work Engagement for Community Mental Health Workers: A Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Given the emotional demanding nature of social services, we developed a brief daily body-mind-spirit (BMS) program and successfully piloted it with workers at elderly services. The proposed study focuses on community mental health workers who are often under chronic stress and vulnerable to burnout.

Methods

The study aims to evaluate the program for fostering sustainable emotional capacity and work engagement for community mental health workers. A multi-site randomized controlled trial design is adopted. All the 24 the Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW of Hong Kong will be approached to join this program. Assuming conservatively, 60% ICCWM (14 centers) will respond and participate. At each site, a pair of intervention and control groups will be run. The targeted total sample size is 224. To investigate the course of changes in burnout and engagement, each group will last 6 months, including 3-month intervention and 3-month follow-up. Measures will be taken at monthly intervals.

Discussion

In light of literature and the pilot trial’s findings, participants in the Brief Daily BMS intervention group are expected to have a reduced burnout level and a narrowing of range in work engagement during the 3 months intervention. And within the 3 months post-intervention period, a rebound of burnout level and a widening of range in work engagement are expected to be observed in the same group of participants. Hopefully, this study will contribute to the deeper understanding of burnout and work engagement, and shed light on sustainable intervention for emotionally demanding workplaces.

Clinical Trial Registration

The trial has been registered in the Clinical Trials Centre of the University of Hong Kong. HKUCTR-2763 Registered 27 December 2019 – Retrospectively registered, http://www.hkuctr.com/Study/Show/eb930d24e2c647afb7a922055163f24b.