The Perils of the Pandemic for the Tourism and Hospitality Industries: Envisaging the Combined Effect of COVID-19 Fear and Job Insecurity on Employees’ Job Performance in Pakistan

Abstract

Jianmin Sun,1 Muddassar Sarfraz,2,3 Kausar Fiaz Khawaja,4 Ilknur Ozturk,5 Muhammad Ali Raza6 1School of Management, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Management, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Commerce & Business, Government College University Faisalabad, Layyah Campus, Layyah, Punjab, 31200, Pakistan; 4Faculty of Management Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 5Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, Nisantasi University, Istanbul, 34485, Turkey; 6Department of Business Administration, National College of Business Administration and Economics, Multan Campus, Multan, 60000, PakistanCorrespondence: Muddassar Sarfraz, Email [email protected]: This study aims to improve employees’ job performance during COVID-19 pandemic circumstances and demonstrates the impact of COVID-19 fear on hospitality employees’ job performance under the mediating role of job insecurity changes and job loss insecurity.Methods: The study adopts a quantitative approach, and data were accumulated through a structured questionnaire. In total, 509 valid questionnaires were received from employees working in Pakistan’s hospitality sector. A structural equation model using Smart-PLS software was used to analyze the collected data from the respondents.Results: The results have identified that COVID-19 fear has a positive and significant influence on job insecurity changes, job loss insecurity, and a negative and significant relationship with job performance. The mediating relationship of job insecurity changes and job loss insecurity negatively significantly influence job performance. Additionally, results indicate a significant relationship between the moderating effect of the COVID-19 vaccines and job insecurity changes, job loss insecurity, and job performance.Conclusion: The study revealed that employees who perceived their jobs to be insecure during the COVID-19 pandemic tried to cope with the situation, feel healthy, and perform well in their job after getting vaccinated. The study’s findings recommend modifying the employees’ working pattern for organizations. This study enhances the existing literature on the COVID-19 crisis in Pakistan’s hospitality industry. In particular, this study is a novel addition to academia that highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work performance of front desk employees in the hotel and tourism industry.Keywords: COVID-19 worry, job performance, job insecurity changes, job loss insecurity, perception of COVID-19 vaccine, hospitality

Keywords

• covid-19 worry
• job performance
• job insecurity changes
• job loss insecurity
• perception of covid-19 vaccine
• hospitality