Mushroom management and its consequences: work alienation and turnover intention in the hospitality industry

Purpose In this research, drawing upon the norm of reciprocity theory, it is aimed to analyse the relationships between mushroom management approach (MMA) and work alienation (WA), together with its three sub-dimensions, powerlessness (PO), meaninglessness (ME) and self-estrangement (SE), turnover intention (TI) and psychological resilience (PR). Furthermore, it examines the mediating role of WA between MMA and TI and the moderating role of PR between WA and TI. Design/methodology/approach The data for this quantitatively designed research were collected through a questionnaire administered to hotel employees in Alanya, a renowned tourist destination in Türkiye. After assessing the measurement model, the structural model was evaluated, and the hypotheses were subsequently tested. Findings The findings indicate that mushroom management increases PO, ME and SE of hotel employees. Moreover, PO, ME and SE of employees have a positive effect on TI. Furthermore, PO, ME and SE of employees have a mediating effect on the relationship between MMA and TI. PR moderates the relationship between only ME and TI. It has no such effect on the relationship between other sub-dimensions of WA and TI. Practical implications Given MMA’s negative influence on TI, involving employees in the decision-making process both reduces their perceived TI and enhances their PR. In addition, hotel managers should consider providing greater autonomy to their staff within the office environment to prevent PO and SE. Originality/value The research’s originality resides in its thorough analysis of how MMA relates to WA and TI, including the mediating role of WA and the moderating effect of PR within the framework of the norm of reciprocity theory. It highlights the impact of MMA in hotels, which are often neglected in the literature.