Investigating the relationships between job crafting, person-job fit and job embeddedness within an agricultural organisation

Orientation: This study investigated the relationships between job crafting, person-job fit and job embeddedness within a South African agricultural organisation. Research purpose: The aim was to examine how job crafting, a proactive behaviour involving the redesign of tasks and social interactions, affects person-job fit and job embeddedness, hypothesising that increased job crafting leads to better person-job fit and higher job embeddedness. Motivation for the study: Given the importance of employee retention in South Africa’s agricultural sector, this study addresses a gap in the literature by exploring how job crafting influences employees’ alignment with their roles in the organisation. Research approach/design and method: A quantitative approach was used, employing stratified random sampling to collect data from 225 permanently employed white-collar staff across various subsidiaries. Data were gathered through an online survey, ensuring anonymity and adherence to ethical standards. Data analysis was conducted using JASP software 0.19.1 [Computer software] (2024). JASP Team. Main findings: The findings indicate a significant positive relationship between job crafting, person-job fit and job embeddedness. Furthermore, higher levels of job crafting were linked to improved person-job fit and stronger job embeddedness. Person-job fit was found to mediate the relationship between job crafting and job embeddedness. Practical/managerial implications: These findings provide valuable insights for agricultural organisations. By fostering a culture of job crafting, they can improve person-job fit and increase job embeddedness. Contribution/value-add: This research advances our understanding of employee retention strategies in the agricultural sector and offers practical recommendations for creating a motivating and supportive work environment.