Unveiling the Role of Transformational Leadership as an Antecedent in Fostering Employee Job Crafting Behaviours at Work: An Empirical Study in Banking Sector

Abstract

Recognising the formidable challenges faced by service employees operating in direct customer contact roles within the rapidly evolving service economy and dynamic work environment, the research underscores the efficacy of job crafting as a strategic approach to alleviate pressures. Job crafting involves the proactive adaptation of job boundaries based on individual interests and requirements, making it imperative to identify factors that facilitate such behaviours. The current study focuses on the role of transformational leadership, an organisational-related factor, in predicting job crafting behaviours at work. A sample of 266 customer contact employees from various public and private banks of Jammu and Kashmir comprised the respondents of the study. The findings of the research unveil a significant and positive impact of transformational leadership on all three facets of job crafting, with a particularly substantial influence on cognitive crafting. The study underscores the critical role of transformational leadership in fostering a thriving work environment through the mental reframing of employees’ perceptions about their jobs in a positive manner. By inspiring and guiding employees, transformational leaders play a pivotal role in cultivating job crafting behaviours. The emphasis on cognitive crafting highlights the transformative power of leadership in shaping employees’ mental outlook towards their roles, contributing to an overall positive work environment. This research provides valuable insights for organisational leaders in the banking sector, emphasising the importance of adopting transformational leadership approaches. Such approaches not only positively impact job crafting behaviours among customer contact employees but also contribute to enhanced job satisfaction and well-being, thereby aiding these employees in navigating the challenges posed by the rapidly changing service economy and work environment.

Keywords: Transformational Leadership, Task Crafting, Relational Crafting, Cognitive Crafting, Job Crafting

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