Does workplace incivility trigger the intention to self-initiate expatriation? An investigation among young Tunisian physicians

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the relationship between workplace incivility and the intention to self-initiate expatriation and whether this relationship is mediated by affective organizational commitment. It also explores the moderating role of career commitment in this proposed model.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected using a questionnaire among 145 young physicians from Tunisian hospitals. Hypotheses are tested using the PROCESS macro (models 4 and 7) in SPSS.FindingsWorkplace incivility is negatively related to affective organizational commitment, which in turn is related to the intention to self-initiate expatriation. Furthermore, career commitment moderates the indirect effect of workplace incivility on expatriate intention through affective organizational commitment. Specifically, when career commitment is high, the indirect effect on the intention to self-initiate expatriation is stronger.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to examine the indirect influence of workplace incivility on the intention to self-initiate expatriation. Moreover, it furthers our understanding of a contingent factor that influences this indirect effect.