Work

The Impact of Organizational Justice on Turnover Intention Among Primary Healthcare Workers: The Mediating Role of Work Motivation

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Adequate staffing of primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) is essential for strengthening healthcare systems, yet high turnover intention among these workers presents a significant challenge. While existing strategies primarily target economic incentives and career progression, this study proposes that enhancing organizational justice could offer a novel and impactful approach to retention. Drawing on equity theory and self-determination theory, the study examines how organizational justice influences turnover intention and the mediating roles of both the intensity and type of work motivation. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study design. A multi-stage cluster sampling method was utilized to administer a questionnaire survey to 1,200 PHCWs from 36 primary health institutions in Shandong Province, China. Results: Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that organizational justice significantly reduces turnover intention among PHCWs (β = -0.435, p < 0.001). Among its three dimensions, distributive justice (β = -0.203, p < 0.001) and procedural justice (β = -0.177, p < 0.01) had significant impacts on turnover intention, whereas interactional justice did not. The study also confirmed the mediating role of work motivation, with work motivation type accounting for 18.2% of the total effect, exerting a greater influence than work motivation intensity, which accounted for 13.8% of the total effect. Conclusion: This study finds that organizational justice, especially distributive and procedural justice, reduces turnover intention among PHCWs in China. Work motivation mediates this effect, with motivation type having a stronger influence than motivation intensity. Enhancing organizational justice through transparent systems for compensation, promotion, and inclusive decision-making can foster the internalization of work motivation, providing a sustainable approach to improving retention and supporting the stability of the primary healthcare workforce.

Source: Risk Management and Healthcare Policy

DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s486535

Authors: Shichao Zhao, Zhaofei Ma, Hongyu Li, Zhanning Wang, Ying Wang, Huifen Ma

Institutions: Shandong Normal University, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong First Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836