Effects of happiness management and organisational justice on organisational commitment
Description
Abstract Purpose: This study examines the effect of happiness management on organisational justice and commitment, exploring the mediating role of organisational justice in this relationship among employees in the Mexican higher education sector. The research responds to the limited empirical evidence connecting psychological wellbeing practices with justice-based commitment in emerging economies and to the scarce extensions of Colquitt’s (2001) organisational justice model in the last two decades. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative, non-experimental, and cross-sectional design was employed. The sample comprised 295 employees from higher education institutions in Mexico. Covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) was applied to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings: The results reveal that happiness management is positively associated with both organisational justice and commitment, with justice partially mediating this relationship. Originality/value: This study extends Colquitt’s (2001) organisational justice model by introducing happiness management as a strategic psychological antecedent. Despite its conceptual influence, relatively few studies have empirically revisited or expanded Colquitt's framework in the past 24 years, particularly within Latin American contexts; thus, this paper fills a relevant empirical and geographical gap. Research limitations/implications: The cross-sectional design and non-probabilistic sampling restrict causal inference and generalisability. Future studies should employ longitudinal approaches and test moderators such as leadership style or perceived organisational support. Practical implications: The findings guide higher education leaders to implement emotional and psychological training programmes that foster happiness, fairness, and commitment through transparent workload allocation, fair promotion systems, and participatory decision-making. Social implications: Promoting organisational cultures grounded in happiness and justice strengthens equity, wellbeing, and institutional resilience, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Keywords: happiness management, organisational justice, organisational commitment, positive organisational behaviour.
Files
Institutions
- Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas - Centro Universitario Tampico-MaderoTamaulipas, Tampico
- Centro de Ensenanza Tecnica y Superior Universidad Unidad TijuanaTijuana
- Universidad de CadizAndalucía, Cadiz