How career calling and job embeddedness shape the work-life balance-performance relationship

Orientation: This study investigates the dynamics of work–life balance (WLB) in influencing job performance (JP), incorporating employee loyalty (EL) as a mediator and career calling (CC) and job embeddedness (JE) as moderators. Research purpose: To analyse the direct and moderated-mediating effects of WLB on JP and examine the roles of EL, CC and JE in enhancing workplace outcomes. Motivation for the study: The study seeks to address the growing need for organisations to improve employee performance through balanced work environments, loyalty cultivation and leveraging intrinsic motivators such as CC and JE. Research approach/design and method: A quantitative approach was adopted, utilising data collected via structured questionnaires from 250 employees in the food and beverage industry. SPSS Macro Hayes Model 60 was employed for analysis. Main findings: Work–life balance significantly and directly influenced JP. Employee loyalty mediated this relationship, while CC strengthened the link between EL and JP. In addition, the interaction of JE and CC amplified the mediating effect of EL in the relationship between WLB and JP. Practical/managerial implications: The findings emphasise the importance of fostering WLB, enhancing EL and leveraging CC and JE to optimise employee performance. Organisations should focus on creating balanced work environments and cultivating loyalty and engagement strategies. Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the literature by integrating WLB, EL, CC and JE into a moderated-mediation model, offering theoretical insights and practical recommendations for improving JP in the food and beverage industry.