UNPACKING PSYCHOLOGICAL INEQUALITIES IN ORGANIZATIONS: PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL RECONSIDERED

Psychological capital and social class: A capital approach to understanding positive psychological states and their role in explaining social inequalities

Psychological capital (PsyCap) is a multidimensional concept entailing hope, self-efficacy, optimism, and resilience. This paper argues that it can be considered a form of "capital" explaining social inequality. We test whether PsyCap can be integrated into the Bourdieusian capital framework by assessing its relationship with social, economic, and cultural capital. We also identify different types of social positions based on the volume and composition of psychological, economic, cultural, and social capital. We use cross-sectional data from the European Social Survey of 2012 (N = 35,313 respondents; 29 countries). To test the associations with the Bourdieusian capital types, we calculated multilevel spearman rank correlations and performed confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). Latent Class Analysis identified different types of social positions. We found positive weak correlations between PsyCap and the indicators of cultural capital (r ≤ .14) and positive moderate correlations with the indicators of economic and social capital (r ≤ .24). The results of the CFA showed that the fit of the 4-capital model was superior to that of the 3-capital model. We identified six types of social positions: two deprived types (with overall low capital levels); two well-off types (with overall high capital levels) and two types with high psychological and social capital in combination with varying levels of cultural and economic capital. Including PsyCap in the Bourdieusian capital framework acknowledges the power of positive psychological states regarding processes of social mobility and social inequality on the one hand and calls for understanding PsyCap as a social and group-level phenomenon on the other hand. As such, integrating PsyCap into the Bourdieusian framework can help to address the longstanding issue of understanding the relationship between social and individual differences in the study of social inequalities.

Transformational leadership in a crisis: Dimensional analysis with psychological capital

Previous research attests to the benefits of transformational leadership (as a unitary construct) for various employee outcomes. Less is known about how specific dimensions of transformational leadership relate to outcomes during crisis. In the present paper, we investigate how each dimension of transformational leadership, namely, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, inspirational motivation, and idealized influence relate to employees' psychological capital in a crisis, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted where employees from 301 small and medium sized enterprises in Kenya completed a survey containing the variables of interest. Quantitative data analysis using partial least squares structural equation modelling was utilized to test the study hypotheses using Smart PLS 4 software. Results showed that only two of the four transformational leadership dimensions had a positive and significant impact on employees' psychological capital: Intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration. In terms of the theorized hypotheses, fear of COVID-19 moderated the relationship between (a) idealized influence, (b) intellectual, and (c) individualized consideration, and employees' psychological capital. However, only intellectual stimulation reached a significant effect size. The present study reveals the varied relevance of transformation leadership dimensions to psychological capital in a crisis. A new condition (emotional assessment of a crisis) for assessing this relationship was proposed. We discuss theoretical and practical implications, strengths, limitations, and suggestions for future studies.

The relationship between learning burnout, professional commitment, and psychological capital in undergraduate clinical medical students

This study examines the current status of and relationship between learning burnout, professional commitment, and psychological capital in undergraduate clinical medical students. A total of 249 undergraduate students were randomly selected from a 5-year clinical medical program at a medical university in Shandong, China. The study employed the Learning Burnout Scale, Professional Commitment Scale, Psychological Capital Scale to survey the sample, and performed structural equation modeling and multiple regression to test the proposed research model using SPSS 19.0. Significant differences in learning burnout were found among students in terms of their gender, years in the medical program, and student leadership (t = 1.811, F = 22.091, t = -2.295; P < .01). There were also significant differences in their professional commitment according to their gender, years in the program, and student leadership (t = -2.711, F = 4.275, t = 3.389; P < .01). Psychological capital differed significantly based on gender, years in the program, and student leadership (t = 8.709, F = 6.182, P < .01, t = 2.086, P < .05). Learning burnout showed significant negative correlations with professional commitment and psychological capital (r = -0.311, r = -0.291; P < .01). The psychological capital and professional commitment of undergraduate students of clinical medicine serve as predictors of learning burnout. Psychological capital partially mediates the relationship between professional commitment and learning burnout.

In Search of the Social in Psychological Capital: Integrating Psychological Capital into a Broader Capital Framework

During the past decade, a rich literature emerged focusing on “psychological capital,” a multidimensional concept encompassing self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience. So far psychological capital has been predominantly studied in the areas of work and organizational psychology, management, and organizational behavior. This paper argues that (1) the relevance of psychological capital is much broader than assumed so far and (2) that not only the outcomes but also the (social) origins and sources of psychological capital need to be studied. More specifically, the key questions that we address in this paper concern (1) how the notion of psychological capital can be integrated into a broader capital framework that allows studying (the reproduction of) social inequalities, (2) what such integration adds to disciplines such as psychology and sociology, (3) and which avenues for further research can be derived from such framework? Informed by the work of Pierre Bourdieu, we argue that psychological capital is the missing link to develop a comprehensive framework for studying (the reproduction of) social inequalities. Based on our theory building, we develop an interdisciplinary research agenda.

A comprehensive examination of psychological capital research using bibliometric, TCCM and content analysis

Purpose

In today's dynamic business environment and crisis and pandemic like situations, psychological capital has become very significant for sustainable competitive advantage. Due to its importance in organizational context, researchers are investigating it from various perspectives, making it a burgeoning research area. Hence, this study aims to review the literature, provide identity in terms of various patterns and trends, and build the intellectual structure (academic structure) of psychological capital research by presenting a big picture. It further provides the theories, characteristics, context and methodologies (TCCM) analysis and potential avenues for possible future research to facilitate the growth of the field.

Design/methodology/approach

This study compiles, evaluates and synthesizes the extant literature of psychological capital, consisting of 954 journal articles collected from Web of Science (WOS) database, using bibliometric techniques, content analysis, and TCCM analysis.

Findings

The study identifies various patterns and trends of psychological capital research and unfolds four major themes, namely psychological capital theoretical concept development, psychological capital relationship building with organizational variables, psychological capital as an underlying mechanism for linkage between organizational variables and psychological capital interventions. It also identifies TCCM outcome and potential avenues for possible future research. The study reveals that psychological capital research area is progressing and has enormous potential to advance in the future.

Research limitations/implications

This study is pivotal to past–future orientation wherein past is being investigated for developing new pathways of psychological capital research. It has used research articles published in the WOS database, and future studies may further enhance the understanding of psychological research using other databases.

Practical implications

In addition to advance a comprehensive understanding of psychological capital research, this study will be a quick reference and notable and profound resource for researchers venturing into this marked research area. Further, it will facilitate to leaders and managers to look into various possible avenues to enhance psychological capital of their subordinates for greater organizational good.

Originality/value

To the best of authors' knowledge, this is first study to advance a comprehensive and systematic understanding of psychological capital by integrating bibliometric, TCCM and content analysis.