Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to provide empirical evidence on the relationships between Psychological Capital (PsyCap), Job Embeddedness (JE) and Organizational Cynicism (OC).

Research Design/Methodology: Using Luthans, 2006 of PsyCap, the study develops a number of hypotheses and tests them. Out of the 338 questionnaires that were distributed to employees at Menoufia University hospitals in Egypt, 315 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 93%.

Findings: The results showed that PsyCap is significantly related to the JE and OC. In other words, self-efficacy, optimism, hope and resilience significantly correlated with JE and OC. The results also supported the hypothesized model. The results refer to a direct effect in the opposite direction between the PsyCap and OC of employees. The study findings support the view that the dimensions of PsyCap were positively related with JE.

Practical implications: The study suggests that Menoufia University hospitals in Egypt can improve JE by influencing its PsyCap, specifically, by developing self-efficacy, optimism, hope and resilience. The study provided that it is necessary to pay more attention to the dimensions of PsyCap as a key source for organizations to enhance the competitive advantage which is of prime significance for JE and OC.

Originality/value: Preliminary evidence of the psychometric properties of the PCQ-24, which measures the construct of PsyCap (hope, self-efficacy, resilience and optimism) on an Egyptian sample, was provided in this study.

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