The negative effects of job embeddedness on performance

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the boundary conditions of job embeddedness (JE), considering whether certain conditions of high embeddedness may have a potential dark side leading to lower employee performance. Design/methodology/approach: Hierarchical moderated regression was used to test the interactions between JE, economic exchange, and social exchange. Findings: Results indicate that under certain exchange conditions, JE can have negative implications for performance. Practical implications: Consideration should be given to how management interventions come together to motivate employees and impact performance. Originality/value: This study speaks to the possible negative side of JE and provides support for its potential to produce adverse consequences for organizations under certain contexts.