Does equity mediate the effects of job demands and job resources on work outcomes? An extension of the job demands-resources model

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the relation between job demands and job resources on the one hand and employee well-being (burnout and work engagement) on the other. It was assumed that this relation is mediated by an equity-based cognitive evaluation process. Design/methodology/approach - This mediation hypothesis was tested using the Job-Demands Resources model in two Chinese samples of blue collar workers (n = 625) and nurses (n = 1,381). Findings - As expected, structural equation analysis revealed that equity mediated the relation of job demands and job resources with burnout and work engagement among nurses. However, mediation was only partly confirmed among blue collar workers. In addition, and as expected, among nurses equity was non-linearly related with burnout. Research limitations/implications - The cross-sectional design of the present study precludes causal conclusions. Originality/value - The study extended the JD-R model with an equity-based cognitive evaluation process.