The Journal of Behavioral Science

Leader’s Motivating Language and Employee Voice Behavior: Exploring the Roles of Positive Emotional Culture as a Mediator and Procedural Justice Climate as a Moderator

Agung Minto Wahyu — 2024-05-31

Positive emotional culture is a vital aspect that can encourage various positive outcomes in an organization. Unfortunately, most current research still focuses on cognitive and negative emotional cultures. Moreover, most of these studies do not include organizational climate conditions, such as procedural justice climate. This study aimed to explain the role of positive emotional culture as a mediator and procedural justice climate as a moderator in the relationship between leader’s motivating language and employee voice behavior. A quantitative online survey was conducted on 158 employees from various types of organizations in Indonesia. Data analysis was conducted using Hayes's PROCESS macro for simple mediation analysis, and moderated-mediation analysis. The results showed that positive emotional culture fully mediates the effect of leader’s motivating language on employee voice behavior (β = .21, 95% CI = [.01, .40]). Furthermore, procedural justice climate is significant as a moderator between leader’s motivating language and employee voice behavior mediated by positive emotional culture (β = .18, 95% CI = [.04, .31]). These findings provide knowledge that a positive emotional culture and procedural justice climate are very important for employees in Indonesia. This study recommends that organizations should strive to create a positive emotional culture and procedural justice climate to foster employee voice behavior necessary to achieve organizational goals.

Impact of Challenge and Hindrance Demands on Work-Related Burnout: The Mediating Effect of Psychological Empowerment

Jing Zuo — 2024-05-31

Background/ problem: Work-related burnout remains a significant concern in the dynamic environment of Chinese technology companies, primarily due to the varying job demands. Understanding the impact of these demands and the potential mitigating role of psychological empowerment is crucial.

Objective/ purpose: This study aimed to examine the direct effects of challenge and hindrance demands on work-related burnout and the direct effect of psychological empowerment on work-related burnout. Additionally, it explored the mediating effect of psychological empowerment in the relationship between challenge and hindrance demands and work-related burnout.

Design and Methodology: Employing a quantitative research design, the study surveyed 442 employees from Chinese technology enterprises using a quota sampling method. Data analysis was performed with PLS-SEM.

Results: The findings indicate a significant positive effect of challenge demands on work-related burnout (β = .43, p < .001) and of hindrance demands on work-related burnout (β = .31, p < .001). Psychological empowerment related negatively to work-related burnout (β = -.34, p < .001). Notably, psychological empowerment significantly mediated the relationship between hindrance demands and burnout (indirect effect = .20, p < .001), but not between challenge demands and burnout (indirect effect = -.02, p = .23).

Conclusion and Implications: This study highlights the differential effects of job demands on burnout and the pivotal role of psychological empowerment in reducing burnout from hindrance demands. For effective burnout management, organizations should balance job demands, particularly by minimizing hindrance demands, and enhance psychological empowerment through autonomy, meaningful work, and development opportunities. These strategies promise a healthier, more resilient workforce.

Human Capital and Readiness for Digital Innovation: The Mediating Role of Thriving at Work and The Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support

Masyhuri Masyhuri — 2024-05-31

Background/ problem: Competition in the logistics and courier industry is growing increasingly intense, prompting state-owned service companies to consistently innovate, particularly in the application of technology.

Objective/ purpose: This study proposed that thriving at work acts as a mediator in the relationship between human capital 4.0 and readiness for digital innovation, while perceived organizational support serves as a moderating factor.

Design and Methodology: Data were collected from 302 managers across various branch offices of a logistics and courier company in Indonesia. The data were analyzed using PLS-SEM.

Results: The results indicated that human capital 4.0 plays a significant role in increasing readiness for innovation through digitalization (b = .35, p = .00). Human capital 4.0 also has a strong positive effect on thriving at work (b = .73, p = .00). Additionally, thriving at work has a significant positive effect on readiness for digital innovation among multiple managers (b = .23, p = .00). Furthermore, the findings show that thriving at work moderates the effect of human capital 4.0 on managers' readiness for digital innovation (p = .00). However, perceived organizational support did not amplify the effect of human capital 4.0 on managers’ readiness for digital innovation (p = .31).

Conclusion and Implications: The study recommends that human resource practices should enhance support for managers and work creativity. Further, management should provide opportunities for development for each individual in order to boost their performance and productivity.

Determinants of Phishing Risk Awareness among Thai University Academic Staff

Pita Jarupunphol — 2024-05-31

Background/problem: Phishing involves deceiving individuals into disclosing sensitive information. It poses a significant threat to academic institutions, impacting their security, financial stability, reputation, and operational efficiency.

Objective/purpose: This research examined phishing risk awareness among academic staff at two Thai universities and investigated the factors influencing phishing threat awareness using the technology acceptance model (TAM).

Design and Methodology: The study’s sample comprised 400 participants, evenly distributed with 200 individuals selected from each of two universities, each employing approximately 450 academic staff members. Data were collected using an online questionnaire.

Results: The results demonstrated correlations between perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) (ꞵ = .52, p < .001), PEOU and attitude towards using (ATT) (ꞵ = .25, p < .001), PU and ATT
(ꞵ = .57, p < .001), and ATT and phishing observation behavior (USE) (ꞵ = .14, p = .01). The relationship between phishing observation behavior (USE) and phishing risk awareness (PHA) was found insignificant (ꞵ = -.09, p = .20). However, the influences of perceived risk (PR) on USE (ꞵ = .15, p < .001) and PHA (ꞵ = .17, p < .001) were more pronounced.

Conclusion and Implications: This indicates that the awareness of phishing threats is more linked to the individual’s risk perception rather than direct observation of phishing incidents. This suggests that enhancing phishing risk awareness should focus on educating individuals about the risks of phishing rather than increasing the visibility of phishing attempts.

Adoption Behavior of Solar Technology among Young Smart Farmers in Thailand

Anupong Khobkhet — 2024-05-31

Background/Problem: The adoption of solar technology by young smart farmers (YSFs) in Thailand remains under-researched, despite its potential benefits for sustainable agriculture.

Objective/Purpose: This study aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing the adoption behavior of solar technology among YSFs in the upper northern region of Thailand.

Design and Methodology: Using a survey methodology, data were collected from 300 YSFs and analyzed using statistical tools and binary logistic regression to determine significant predictors of technology adoption.

Results: The findings reveal seven critical determinants of solar technology adoption: duration of YSF membership (β = .59, p = .01), agricultural experience (β = .47, p = .03), loan repayment frequency
(β = .71, p < .01), land ownership (β = 1.03, p < .001), perceived benefits of solar energy (β = 2.57, p < .001), awareness of solar energy limitations (β = 2.19, p < .001), and perceived risks associated with solar energy (β = -.81, p = .01).

Conclusion and Implications: The study concludes that targeted educational programs in agricultural practices and financial management, coupled with interventions to address perceived barriers and risks, are essential to enhance the adoption of solar technology among YSFs. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders in developing strategies to promote sustainable energy practices in agriculture, thus contributing to environmental sustainability and technological progress within the sector.

The Mediating Role of Workplace Safety Climate on Safety Leadership and Safety Knowledge in Indonesian Petrochemical Employees

Ahmad Rizki Sridadi — 2024-05-31

Background/Problem: Effective safety leadership encompasses the capacity of authoritative figures to proactively steer and shape an organization through the adoption of safe practices and principles. Recognizing the pivotal role of leadership behavior in driving employee performance, particularly in facilitating collective bargaining, underscores its importance in organizational studies.

Objective/Purpose: This study aimed to examine the mediation effect of workplace safety climate in the relationship between effective safety leadership and safety knowledge on performance within Indonesian petrochemical sector.

Design and Methodology: Using a quantitative method, data was collected from 198 employees in an Indonesian petrochemical enterprise. Structural equation modeling with partial least squares method was employed for analysis.

Results: The findings reveal that effective safety leadership (β = .48; p = .000) and workplace safety climate (β = .47; p = .000) significantly influence performance. A workplace safety climate mediates both the relationship between effective safety leadership (β = .13; p = .02) and safety knowledge (β = .33; p = .02) on performance. This workplace safety climate atmosphere emphasizes adherence to strict safety regulations for consistency.

Conclusion and Implications: The study highlights the need for leaders to reevaluate training methodologies, focusing on enhancing safety knowledge and practical implementation. Strengthening a secure working environment is also emphasized for the well-being and protection of employees. This research contributes to the leadership climate literature by providing additional evidence that effective safety leadership and workplace safety climate can improve employee safety performance. Thus, top management can consider their leadership role during the process of achieving better employee safety performance.

The Development and Effectiveness of Digital Well-being Intervention on Enhancing Digital Literacy and Psychological Well-Being of Thai Adolescents

Pisutthipa Metheekul — 2024-05-31

Background/problem: Adolescents face offensive content, contact threats, and violations of privacy associated with digital technology, which can have effects on their psychological well-being. Supporting adolescents in developing digital literacy is crucial for helping them maintain their well-being.

Objective: This research aimed to study the effectiveness of a digital well-being intervention on the development of digital literacy and psychological well-being, while also examining the relationship between digital literacy and psychological well-being in early adolescents.

Design and Methodology: This research used a quasi-experimental design. A digital well-being intervention program was developed based on the self-determination theory, activity-based learning, concepts of self-esteem, and positive reinforcement. The participants were 70 school students from Chachoengsao province in Thailand.The experimental group received 10 sessions of training from the digital well-being intervention programs. Data analysis utilized MANOVA with repeated measures and Pearson's correlation.

Results: Main results showed that digital literacy and psychological well-being differed, over time (Wilk’s Λ = .78, F = 4.48, p < .01). After the training and during the follow-up period, statistically significant differences were observed in the average scores of digital literacy and psychological well-being between the experimental and control groups at a significance level of .01. The relationship between digital literacy and psychological well-being in the experiment group showed a moderate correlation (r = .64,
p = .00).

Conclusion and Implications: The findings of this study could be useful for practitioners working with adolescents for promoting appropriate digital technology use and enhancing psychological well-being in early adolescents.

A Qualitative Study Exploring Perception and Health Behaviors Related to Sarcopenic Obesity among Thai Older Adults in Rural Community

Nuchthida Samaisong — 2024-05-31

Background/ problem: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a condition characterized by the coexistence of obesity and sarcopenia. The prevalence of SO is significantly high among seniors; a trend exacerbated by a global rise of aging populations and obesity rates. Thailand has one of the fastest aging populations in the world, and it is not immune to rise in obesity, with 38.4% of seniors being obese.

Objective/ purpose: This study explores the perceptions and health behaviors related to SO among older adults in rural communities in Thailand.

Design and Methodology: A qualitative descriptive research was used. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. In-depth interviews were conducted from 25 older adults with SO. Data were transcribed verbatim and continued until data saturation was achieved. The data were verified from focus group discussions with 12 participants. Data were analyzed using content analysis.

Findings: The findings reveal that SO is largely unknown among Thai seniors, leading to poor awareness and symptom management. Many participants had chronic diseases that could improve with SO management. Contributing factors include excessive energy intake, insufficient protein consumption, low physical activity, lack of resistance exercise, and family encouraging unhealthy behavior.

Conclusion and Implications: The findings offer valuable insight for developing behaviors modification strategies including raising SO awareness and encouraging SO health literacy.

Recovery of the Pandemic Learning Loss among Thai Students: Lessons Learned and Practical Guidelines

Ittipaat Suwathanpornkul — 2024-05-31

Background/problem: The COVID-19 pandemic disruption to education across the globe led to student learning loss and inequalities. Therefore, it has been suggested that learning loss recovery policies and practices should be formulated and implemented to resolve, recover, and revive the quality education.

Objective/purpose: This research explored the empirical findings from lessons learned of actual implementations in schools to recover the learning loss of students, and synthesized the good practices and key success factors that could be proposed for practical guidelines regarding learning loss recovery.

Design and Methodology: This qualitative multiple-case study collected data from twelve schools in Thailand with interesting practices in learning loss recovery. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and school document reviews to gain a deeper understanding of the actual practices and contexts for learning loss recovery. The collected data was analyzed through inductive content analysis.

Findings: The results show that the selected schools had developed similar practices to recover students’ learning loss. The key themes in learning loss recovery policies were: the school administrators having a clear and practical vision; strong decision-making skills among school administrators; proactive school strategies; strong skills among instructors to design and organize an effective learning environment; efficient usage of educational technology, teacher’s mentoring systems; and cooperation between relevant sectors for the benefit of schools and students.

Conclusion and Implications: These findings also suggest that the policies and practices driving to recovery of learning loss requires the cooperation of both internal and external school stakeholders for an effective and efficient implementation.

Causes and Cultivation of Inhibitory Control Among School-Age Children in Thailand

Khanokporn Donjdee — 2024-05-31

Background/Problem: Children with dysfunctional inhibitory control tend to be at risk of experiencing more externalizing behavior, such as aggression, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, leading to addictive behavior in the future.

Objective/Purpose: This study had two main objectives, to understand the causes of inhibitory control in students and to identify ways of enhancing inhibitory control among parents and teachers in Nakhon Pathom Province in Thailand.

Design and Methodology: The study used the case study approach focusing on students with good inhibitory control skills, ten parents of these children, and five teachers. Data was analyzed using content analysis techniques.

Findings: The study themes encompassed personal factors, such as personality traits and a sense of responsibility, alongside environmental factors, such as family dynamics and activities fostering communication and skill-building at home. Similarly, strategies to promote inhibitory control skills at school centered on active learning methodologies and attention practices.

Conclusion and Implications: The study clarifies that families with low to moderate socioeconomic status can promote inhibitory control skills in a simple and cost-effective manner. The method proposed in this study can be used as a guideline for the development of inhibitory control, which is the main component of executive function.