Do ethical values buffer against workplace stressors? Interactive effects of challenge-hindrance stressors and Islamic work ethics on individualized change outcomes ( ¿Constituyen los valores éticos un factor de amortiguación frente a los estresores laborales? Efectos interactivos de los estresores obstáculo y la ética laboral islámica en los resultados de cambio individual )

Abstract

Drawing on social exchange theory, this study investigated the impact of workplace stressors on creativity and job burnout among engineers. Moreover, it also investigated the conditional role of Islamic work ethics in the above relationships. For testing the hypotheses, data from 161 engineers and their respective managers were collected using a time-lagged approach from various organizations in Pakistan. Further, a structural equation modelling technique was utilized for testing the proposed relationships. The findings suggested a positive impact of challenge and hindrance stressors on employees’ burnout. Moreover, challenge and hindrance stressors were found to have a negative impact on employees’ creativity. Finally, the results supported a conditional role of Islamic work ethics in the relationships of challenge stressors with creativity and job burnout. While existing literature has focused on the work-related outcomes of workplace stressors, this research has simultaneously incorporated the role of work and non-work factors. Finally, the integration of Islamic work ethics provided a novel perspective for understanding how employees’ values and beliefs facilitate effectively managing their behavioural and attitudinal outcomes, particularly under stressful circumstances.