More or Less Job Performance in an Insecure Job? A Study on the Relationship between Job Insecurity and In-Role and Extra-Role Performance

ObjectiveTo gain insight into the complex relationship between job insecurity and in-role and extra-role performance. Autonomous work motivation is investigated as a mediator in this relationship. The quality of the employee-supervisor relationship (LMX) is investigated as a moderator between job insecurity and autonomous work motivation.MethodsCross-sectional data were collected by online surveys among 206 Dutch and Belgian employees. Multiple regression analyses were performed to test the hypotheses.ResultsJob insecurity was negatively associated with both in-role and extra-role performance. Autonomous work motivation mediated the negative relationship between job insecurity and in-role and extra-role performance. LMX did not moderate the negative relationship between job insecurity and autonomous work motivation.ConclusionsOrganizations need to prevent job insecurity and limit the negative consequences of job insecurity for sustaining employees' autonomous work motivation and job performance.