Workplace Friendship, Helping Behaviour, and Turnover Intention: The mediating effect of Affective Commitment

Abstract

Workplace friendship and helping behavior have attracted scholarly attention, yet research on their relationship with turnover intention in the banking sector, particularly in South Asia, remains limited. This study examines the impact of workplace friendship and helping behavior on employees' turnover intentions, with a focus on the mediating role of affective commitment. Using Social Identity Theory as a framework, data were collected via a self-administered survey from 245 sales staff and cashiers in Pakistan's banking sector through convenience sampling. Analysis using SPSS revealed that workplace friendship and helping behavior are negatively related to turnover intention. Affective commitment partially mediated the relationship between workplace friendship and turnover intention and fully mediated the link between helping behavior and turnover intention. The findings suggest that managers should foster social relationships and mutual support among employees to reduce turnover. This research contributes to the limited body of knowledge on these dynamics in the Pakistani context and offers practical implications for enhancing employee retention.

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