The organizational outcomes of structural characteristics of a developmental network: emotional attachment and pro-organizational behaviors.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of the structural characteristics of a developmental network on emotional attachment and on pro-organizational behaviors. Mediation of emotional attachment and moderation of relationship strength were additional topics of focus. A survey was administered to employees with at least two years of experience in 31 profit organizations in South Korea. A survey instrument was developed by adopting measuring instruments used in previous studies. A paper and pencil based survey was composed of (1) an ego-centric network survey, and (2) an organizational outcome survey. A total of 488 responses among 1,020 employees were received and 452 responses were analyzed. Statistical techniques including descriptive statistics, SEM, and hierarchical multiple regression were used to test the hypothesized structural model and relationships. The results suggested that (1) structural characteristics of a developmental network affected the psychological orientation of individuals, (2) emotional attachment and identification with an organization mediated the structural characteristics and behavioral outcomes, (3) relationship strength moderated the effect of network composition on emotional attachment, (4) the integration of OI and OC into EAO offered a strong theoretical and empirical basis, and (5) gender differences were significance in the structural characteristics of a developmental network. Implications from theoretical and practical standpoints were discussed and several recommendations for future research were presented.