IMPACT OF IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT TACTICS ON GEN Z’S TURNOVER INTENTION: MEDIATING ROLE OF PERSON-ORGANIZATION

Abstract

Understanding the factors influencing Gen Z employees' intention to stay in their organizations is crucial in today's competitive job market. This study examines the relationship between Impression Management tactics, Work Adjustment Theory, and their combined impact on employee retention in Islamabad. The five identified Impression Management tactics—Employee Ingratiation, Employee Self-Promotion, Exemplification, Intimidation, and Supplication—are analyzed for their effects on workplace perceptions and behaviors. By incorporating Work Adjustment Theory, we explore how individuals adapt to their work environments and how these adaptations correlate with successful employment outcomes. Our findings reveal that Impression Management tactics positively influence Perceived Person-Organization Fit, which in turn negatively affects employees' turnover intentions. The mediating role of Perceived Person-Organization Fit is crucial in understanding these dynamics. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional approach, data were collected from Generation Z professionals in the telecom sector through convenience sampling. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the relationships among the identified variables. This comprehensive exploration provides insights into the workplace strategies and adaptations of Generation Z employees, offering valuable implications for organizational management practices. The results underscore the importance of Impression Management in fostering alignment between employees and their organizations, ultimately reducing employees' turnover intention.