‘’Japa’’ Syndrome: Mediating Role Of Organizational Climate On Psychological Contract Breach And Turnover Intention

Abstract

The continuous exodus of health workers known as ‘’Japa’’ and the intention of many to leave their current job is worrisome and need urgent research attention in Nigeria. This study investigates the role of psychological contract breach on turnover intention. The study also further examines the mediating role of organizational climate in the relationship between psychological contract breach and turnover intention among health workers. The study adopted a cross-sectional study with a total of 146 health workers aged 20-59years (female = 70.5%; mean age = 34.80±8.87years). The study found that psychological contract breach associated positively with turnover intention, but negatively with organizational climate. Organizational climate was also linked negatively with turnover intention, while organizational climate partially mediated the positive link between psychological contract breach-turnover intention link. The study concludes that psychological contract breach fuel turnover intention while organizational climate serves as buffer between psychological contract breach and turnover intention. Therefore, efforts promoting favourable organizational culture can help improve and sustain employees' psychological agreements which may help reduce turnover intention among health workers.