Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-xtgtn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T01:13:02.044Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Supportive factors of job and life satisfaction: Empirical evidence from disclosed lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) workforce in Thailand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2017

Prattana Punnakitikashem ,
Atthapong Maimun  and
Sirisuhk Rakthin
Prattana Punnakitikashem
Affiliation:
College of Management, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Atthapong Maimun
Affiliation:
College of Management, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Sirisuhk Rakthin*
Affiliation:
College of Management, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
*
Corresponding author: Sirisuhk.rak@mahidol.ac.th
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The literature exploring the impact of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) supportive employment policies on work and life satisfaction and how these relationships reflected business outcomes is largely derived from the LGB workforce in Western countries. To our knowledge, empirical evidence from LGB workforce in Thailand is very limited. To address this shortcoming, this study aims to identify and evaluate the work-related supportive factors that influence job and life satisfaction of Thai LGB employees. Theoretically, the study offers novel aspects of LGB employees’ perception toward their workplace environment in different social and cultural context of Thailand. Online surveys were administered to 144 LGB individuals, and the results highlight the effects of three types of support at work – supervisor, organizational, and coworker – on Thai LGB employees’ job and life satisfaction. The findings also provide insights for human resources managers to attract and retain LGB employees.

Keywords

LGB workforcesupportive factorjob satisfactionlife satisfactionThailand
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 25 , Issue 5 , September 2019 , pp. 711 - 730
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Acker, J. (2004). Gender, capitalism and globalization. Critical Sociology, 30(1), 17–41.Google Scholar
American Psychological Association (2008). Answers to your questions: for a better understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality, accessed at http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/orientation.pdf on 23 September 2015.Google Scholar
Archavanitkul, K. (2011). Sexuality transition in Thai society. In S. Punpuing, M. Sunpuwan (Eds.), Thailand’s population in transition: A turning point for Thai Society. Nakorn Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research.Google Scholar
Badgett, M. V. L., Durso, L. E., Kastanis, A., & Mallory, C. (2013). The business impact of LGBT-supportive workplace policies. Los Angeles, CA: The Williams Institute, University of California-Los Angeles.Google Scholar
Bagozzi, R. P., & Yi, Y. (1988). On the evaluation of structural equation models. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 16(1), 74–94.Google Scholar
Barclay, D. W., Higgins, C. A., & Thompson, R. L. (1995). The partial least squares approach to causal modeling: Personal computer adoption and use as illustration. Technology Studies, 2(2), 285–309.Google Scholar
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(6), 1173–1182.Google Scholar
BBC (2010). UK gay, lesbian and bisexual population revealed. BBC. Retrieved September 23, 2015, from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-11398629 Google Scholar
Bersin, J. (2015, December 6). Why diversity and inclusion will be a top priority for 2016. Forbes. Retrieved May 20, 2017, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshbersin/2015/12/06/why-diversity-and-inclusion-will-be-a-top-priority-for-2016/#5a8da81d2ed5 Google Scholar
Boatwright, K. J., Gilbert, M. S., Forest, L., & Ketzenberger, K. (1996). Impact of identity development upon career trajectory: Listening to the voice of lesbian women. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 48(2), 210–228.Google Scholar
Bontis, N., Booker, L., & Serenko, A. (2007). The mediating effect of organizational reputation on customer loyalty and service recommendation in the banking industry. Management Decision, 45(9), 1426–1445.Google Scholar
Bontis, N., & Serenko, A. (2007). The moderating role of human capital management practices on employee capabilities. Journal of Knowledge Management, 11(3), 31–51.Google Scholar
Brislin, R. W. (1990). Applied cross-cultural psychology: An introduction. In R. W. Brislin (Ed.), Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (pp. 9–33). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Burnett, L. (2010). Young lesbian explore careers and work landscapes in an Australian culture. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 14(1), 36–51.Google Scholar
Cain, R. (1991). Stigma management and gay identity development. Social Work, 36(1), 67–73.Google Scholar
Cammann, C., Fichman, M., Jenkins, G. D., & Klesh, J. (1983). Michigan organizational assessment questionnaire. In S. E. Seashore, E. E. Lawler, P. H. Mirvis, & C. Cammann (Eds.), Assessing organizational change: A guide to methods, measures, and practices. New York, NY: Wiley.Google Scholar
Camps, J., Oltra, V., Aldás-Manzano, J., Buenaventura-Vera, G., & Torres-Carballo, F. (2016). Individual performance in turbulent environments: The role of organizational learning capability and employee flexibility. Human Resource Management, 55(3), 363–383.Google Scholar
Chin, W. W. (1998). The partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling. In G. A. Marcoulides (Ed.), Modern methods for business research (pp. 295–358). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Chin, W. W., Thatcher, J. B., & Wright, R. T. (2012). Assessing common method bias: Problems with the ULMC technique. MIS Quarterly, 36(3), 1–11.Google Scholar
Colgan, F., Creegan, C., McKearney, A., & Wright, T. (2007). Equality and diversity policies and practices at work: Lesbian, gay and bisexual workers. Equal Opportunities International, 26(6), 590–609.Google Scholar
Creegan, C., Colgan, F., Charlesworth, R., & Robinson, G. (2003). Race equality policies at work: Employee perception of the ‘implementation gap’ in a UK local authority. Work, Employment and Society, 17(4), 617–638.Google Scholar
Critcher, C. R., & Ferguson, M. J. (2011). Concealment and ego depletion: Does ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ hinder performance?. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, January 27-29, 2011, Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Antonio, TX.Google Scholar
Day, N. E., & Schoenrade, P. (1997). Staying in the closet versus coming out: Relationships between communication about sexual orientation and work attitudes. Personnel Psychology, 50(1), 147–163.Google Scholar
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75.Google Scholar
Eisenberger, R., Huntington, R., Hutchison, S., & Sowa, D. (1986). Perceived organizational support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 71(3), 500–507.Google Scholar
Elsesser, K., & Peplau, L. A. (2006). The glass partition: Obstacles to cross-sex friendships at work. Human Relation, 59(8), 1077–1100.Google Scholar
Engelen, A., Flatten, T. C., Thalmann, J., & Brettel, M. (2014). The effect of organizational culture on entrepreneurial orientation: A comparison between Germany and Thailand. Journal of Small Business Management, 52(4), 732–752.Google Scholar
Frone, M. R. (2000). Interpersonal conflict at work and psychological outcomes: Testing a model among young workers. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 5(2), 246–255.Google Scholar
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error: Algebra and statistics. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(3), 382–388.Google Scholar
Gedro, J. (2009). LGBT career development. Advances in Development Human Resources, 11(1), 54–56.Google Scholar
Geisser, S. (1974). A predictive approach to the random effects model. Biometrika, 61, 101–107.Google Scholar
Godin, I., & Kittel, F. (2004). Differential economic stability and psychosocial stress at work: Associations with psychosomatic complaints and absenteeism. Social Science and Medicine, 58(8), 1543–1553.Google Scholar
Goldberg, A. E., & Smith, J. Z. (2013). Work conditions and mental health in lesbian and gay dual-earner parents. Family Relations, 62(5), 727–740.Google Scholar
Gonsiorek, J. C., & Weinrich, J. D. (1991). The definition and scope of sexual orientation. In J. C. Gonsiorek & J. D. Weinrich (Eds.), Homosexuallity: Research Implication for Public Policy. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Graham, M. A. (1986). Out of the closet and into the court room. Employment Relation Today, 13(2), 167–173.Google Scholar
Griffith, K. H., & Hebl, M. R. (2002). The disclosure dilemma for gay men and lesbians: ‘Coming out’ at work. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(6), 1191–1199.Google Scholar
Gurchiek, K. (2005). Benefits survey predicts gains for domestic partners, losses for reservist. Society for Human Resources Management. Retrieved February 16, 2015, from http://www.shrm.org/hrnews-published/archieves/CMS-011484.asp Google Scholar
Hair, J. F. Jr., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., Anderson, R. E., & Tatham, R. L. (2006). Multivariate data analysis (6th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall International.Google Scholar
Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2013). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Hair, J., Sarstedt, M., Ringle, C. M., & Mena, J. A. (2012). An assessment of the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling in marketing research. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 40(3), 414–433.Google Scholar
Hall, M. (1986). The lesbian corporate experience. Journal of Homosexuality, 12(3/4), 59–75.Google Scholar
Hartel, C. E. J., Hartel, G. F., & Trumble, R. B. (2013). IDADA: The individual difference approach to assessing and developing diversity awareness. Journal of Management & Organization, 19(1), 60–74.Google Scholar
Hofstede, G. (1991). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind. London: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
Huffman, A. H., Watrous-Rodriguez, K. M., & King, E. B. (2008). Supporting a diverse workforce: What types of support is most meaningful for lesbian and gay employees? Human Resources Management, 47(2), 237–253.Google Scholar
Human Rights Campaign (n.d.). LGBT equality at the Fortune 500. Retrieved February 2, 2015, from http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/lgbt-equality-at-the-fortune-500 Google Scholar
Hutlin, M., & Szulkin, R. (2003). Mechanism of inequality: Unequal access to organizational power and the gender wage gap. European Sociological Review, 19(2), 143–159.Google Scholar
Institute for Population and Social Research (2014). Population of Thailand, 2014: Estimated population at midyear 2014 (1st July). Mahidol Population Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2015, from http://www.ipsr.mahidol.ac.th/ipsr/Contents/Documents/Gazette/Gazette2014EN.pdf Google Scholar
Irwin, J. (1998). The pink ceiling is too low: Workplace experiences of lesbians, gay men and transgender people. Sydney: University of Sydney, Australian Centre for Lesbian and Gay Research.Google Scholar
Jackson, P. (1999). Tolerant but unaccepting: The myth of a Thai ‘gay’ paradise. In P. Jackson & N. Cook (Eds.), Gender and sexualities in modern Thailand. Chiangmai: Silkworm Books.Google Scholar
King, E. B., Reilly, C. A., & Hebl, M. R. (2008). The best and worst of times: Dual perspectives of coming out in the workplace. Group and Organization Management, 33(5), 566–601.Google Scholar
Kleiner, N. C. B. H. (2001). New developments concerning sexual orientation discrimination and harassment. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 21(8/9/10), 92–100.Google Scholar
Kossek, E. E., & Zonia, S. C. (1993). Assessing diversity climate: A field study of reaction to employer efforts to promote diversity. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 14(1), 61–81.Google Scholar
Kronenberger, G. K. (1991). Out of the closet. Personnel Journal, 70(6), 40–44.Google Scholar
Legate, N., Ryan, R., & Weinstein, N. (2012). Is coming out always a ‘good thing’? Exploring the relations of autonomy support, outness, and wellness for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 3(2), 145–152.Google Scholar
Liddle, B. J., Luzzo, D. A., Hauenstein, A. L., & Schuck, K. (2004). Construction and validation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered climate inventory. Journal of Career Assessment, 12(1), 33–50.Google Scholar
Lindell, M. K., & Brandt, C. J. (2000). Climate quality and climate consensus as mediators of the relationship between organizational antecedents and outcome. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(3), 331–348.Google Scholar
Lindell, M. K., & Whitney, D. J. (2001). Accounting for common method variance in cross-sectional research design. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(1), 114–121.Google Scholar
Lobban, R., Husted, J., & Farewell, V. (1998). A comparison of the effect of job demand, decision latitude, role and supervisory style on self-reported job satisfaction. Work and Stress, 12(4), 337–350.Google Scholar
Markus, H., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion and motivation. Psychological Review, 98(2), 224–253.Google Scholar
Melton, E. N., & Cunningham, G. B. (2014). Examining the workplace experiences of sport employees who are LGBT: A social categorization theory perspective. Journal of Sport Management, 28(1), 21–33.Google Scholar
Miller, C., & Major, B. (2000). Coping with stigma and prejudice. In T. F. Heatherton, R. E. Kleck, M. R. Hebl, & J. G. Hull (Eds.), The Social Psychology of Stigma. New York, NY: Guilford.Google Scholar
Mitchell, R., Boyle, B., Parker, V., Giles, M., Chiang, V., & Joyce, P. (2015). Managing inclusiveness and diversity in teams: How leader inclusiveness affects performance through status and team identity. Human Resource Management, 54, 217–239.Google Scholar
Mitchell, R., Obeidat, S., & Bray, M. (2013). The effect of strategic human resource management on organizational performance: The mediating role of high-performance human resource practices. Human Resource Management, 52, 899–921.Google Scholar
Mor Barak, M. E., & Levin, A. (2002). Outside of the corporate mainstream and exclude from the work community: A study of diversity, job satisfaction and well-being. Community, Work, and Family, 5(2), 133–157.Google Scholar
Mosbergen, D. (2015). Two-faced Thailand: The ugly side of ‘Asia’s gay capital’. Worldpost. Retrieved October 2, 2016, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lgbt-thailand_us_5616472ee4b0dbb8000d30a6 Google Scholar
Moyle, P. (1998). Longitudinal influences of managerial support on employee well-being. Work and Stress, 12(1), 29–49.Google Scholar
National Institute of Development Administration (2013). How Thai people think about third gender. Retrieved from February 16, 2015, from http://goo.gl/yA1AaE Google Scholar
Neely Martinez, M. (1993). Recognizing sexual orientation is fair and not costly. HR Magazine, 38, 66–72.Google Scholar
Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I.H. (1994). Psychometric theory. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
Peeters, M., & le Blanc, P. (2001). Towards a match between job demands and sources of social support: A study among oncology care provider. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 10(1), 53–72.Google Scholar
Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J. Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879–903.Google Scholar
Ragins, B. R. (2004). Sexual orientation in the work place: The unique work and career experiences of gay, lesbian and bisexual workers. Research in Personnel and Human Relations, 23, 35–120.Google Scholar
Ragins, B. R., & Cornwell, J. M. (2001). Pink triangles: Antecedents and consequences of perceived workplace discrimination against gay and lesbian employee. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(6), 1244–1261.Google Scholar
Ragins, B. R., Singh, R., & Cornwell, J. M. (2007). Making the invisible visible: Fear and disclosure of sexual orientation at work. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(4), 1103–1118.Google Scholar
Redman, T., & Snape, E. (2006). Industrial relations climate and staff attitudes in the fire service: A case of union renewal? Employee Relation, 28(1), 26–45.Google Scholar
Reinartz, W. J., Haenlein, M., & Henseler, J. (2009). An empirical comparison of the efficacy of covariance-based and variance-based SEM. International Journal of Market Research, 26(4), 332–344.Google Scholar
Riley, D. M. (2008). LGBT-friendly workplaces in engineering. Leadership and Management in Engineering, 8(1), 19–23.Google Scholar
Ringle, C. M., Wende, S. S., & Will, A. (2005). SmartPLS 2.0 (M3) beta, Hamburg. Retrieved on January 6, 2016 from http://www.smartpls.de Google Scholar
Rubin, L. H., Witkiewitz, K., St. Andre, J., & Reilly, S. (2007). Methods for handling missing data in the behavioral neurosciences: Don’t throw the baby rat out with the bath water. Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education, 5(2), A71–A77.Google Scholar
Rumens, N. (2010). Firm friends: Exploring the supportive components in gay men’s workplace friendships. The Sociological Review, 58(1), 135–155.Google Scholar
Seal, K. (1991). Sexual orientation becomes workplace issue for the 1990s. Hotel & Motel Management, 206, 2–29.Google Scholar
Shanock, S., & Eisenberger, R. (2006). When supervisor feel supported: Relationships with subordinates’ perceived supervisor support, perceived organization support and performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91, 689–695.Google Scholar
Smith, J. B., & Barclay, D. W. (1997). The effects of organizational differences and trust on the effectiveness of selling partner relationships. Journal of Marketing, 61(1), 3–21.Google Scholar
Sosik, J., Kahai, S., & Piovoso, M. (2009). Silver bullet or voodoo statistics? A primer for using the partial least squares data analytic technique in group and organization research. Group and Organization Management, 34(5), 5–36.Google Scholar
Spitzer, K. (2015, May 6). Japan belatedly joins gay rights movement. USA Today. Retrieved September 23, 2015, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/05/06/japan-gay-rights-domestic-partner-law/26696889/ Google Scholar
Statistics Canada (2014). Same-sex couples and sexual orientation… by the numbers. Retrieved October 7, 2015, from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/dai/smr08/2015/smr08_203_2015 Google Scholar
Stone, M. (1974). Cross-validatory choice and assessment of statistical predictions. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, 36, 111–147.Google Scholar
Suriyasarn, B. (2014). Gender identity and sexual orientation in Thailand, International Labor Organization (ILO) Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Promoting Rights, Diversity and Equality in the World of Work (PRIDE) Project. Bangkok: ILO. Retrieved October 2, 2016, from http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---sro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_356950.pdf Google Scholar
Suriyasarn, B. (2015). Job discrimination and marginalization of LGBT people in Thailand 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2016, from http://www.ssa.ipsr.mahidol.ac.th/sexuality/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=85&Itemid=58 Google Scholar
Susser, P. A. (1986). Sexual preference discrimination: Limited protection for gay workers. Employment Relations Today, 13(1), 57–65.Google Scholar
Thomas, D. A., & Ely, R. J. (1996). Making differences matter: A new paradigm for managing diversity. Harvard Business Review, 74(5), 79–90.Google Scholar
Tippins, M. J., & Sohi, R. (2003). IT competency and firm performance: Is organizational learning a missing link? Strategic Management Journal, 24(8), 745–761.Google Scholar
Trau, R. N. C., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2004). One career, two identities: An assessment of gay men’s career trajectory. Career Development International, 9(6/7), 627–637.Google Scholar
Trau, R. N. C., & Härtel, C. E. J. (2007). Contextual factors affecting quality of work life and career attitudes of gay men. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 19(3), 207–219.Google Scholar
Triandis, H. C. (1995). Individualism and collectivism. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.Google Scholar
UNDP, & USAID (2014). Being LGBT in Asia: Thailand Country Report. Retrieved February 2, 2015, from http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1861/Being_LGBT_in_Asia_Thailand_Country_Report.pdf Google Scholar
Van Den Bergh, N. (1999). Workplace problems and need for lesbian and gay male employees: Implication for EAPs. Employee Assistance Quarterly, 15(1), 21–60.Google Scholar
Waldo, C. R. (1999). Working in a majority context: A structure model of heterosexism as minority stress in the workplaces. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 46(2), 218–232.Google Scholar
Ward, B. D., Dahlhamer, J. M., Galinsky, A. M., & Joestl, S. S. (2014, July 15). Sexual orientation and health among U.S. adults: National health interview survey, 2013. Center for Disease Control, National Health Statistics Report. Retrieved February 2, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr077.pdf Google Scholar
Wells, B., & Button, S. B. (2004). Workplace experience of lesbian and gay employees: A review of current research. International Review of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 19, 139–170.Google Scholar
Wells, J. W., & Kline, W. B. (1987). Self-disclosure of homosexual orientation. Journal of Social Psychology, 127(2), 191–197.Google Scholar
Williams, K. Y., & O’Reilly, C. A. I. (1998). Demography and diversity in organization: A review of 40 years of research. Research in Organization Behavior, 20, 77–140.Google Scholar
Woods, J. D., & Lucas, J. H. (1993). The corporate closet: The professional lives of gay men in America. New York, NY: The Free Press.Google Scholar
Young, K. (1992). Approaches to policy development in the field of equal opportunities. In P. Braham, A. Rattansi, & R. Skellington (Eds.), Racism and antiracism: Inequalities, opportunities and policies. London, UK: Sage.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Punnakitikashem supplementary material

Appendix 1

Download Punnakitikashem supplementary material(File)
File 15.8 KB
Supplementary material: File

Punnakitikashem supplementary material

Punnakitikashem supplementary material 1

Download Punnakitikashem supplementary material(File)
File 16.1 KB