(Mediating Role of Person-Organization Fit in The Effect of Psychological Capital on Individual Performance: A Research on The Academicians in Foundation Universities)

Abstract

Purpose – This research was carried out to determine the impact of psychological capital on individual performance and the mediating role of person-organization fit between these two variables. Design/methodology/approach – The sample of the study is 433 academic staff who work in foundation universities in Turkey. The questionnaire was sent to the academic staff at the foundation universities via e-mail and through the online survey system. Frequency analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used on the obtained data. Findings – Research results showed that psychological capital has a positive relationship with person-organization fit and individual performance. However, the mediating role of person-organization fit in the relationship between psychological capital and individual performance, which was determined as the main hypothesis of the research, was not supported. Discussion – According to these results, the individual with high psychological capital will increase his / her willingness to work by getting positive outputs and this will lead to show higher performance in the process. In addition, the general success level and productivity of the organization will increase as a result of the fit of the individual with high psychological capital to the organization and the work. As a result of increased performance of the individual fit with the aims and values of the organization, the obtained level of the personal and organizational targets will also get high. It is evaluated that the research will contribute to the studies to be done about the academicians in foundation universities and to give an idea to the researchers and practitioners about the levels of psychological capital, individual performance and personorganization fit.