Workplace happiness, hopelessness, and turnover intention: a gender-based multigroup analysis in an emerging market

Abstract
Purpose – This study aims to examine the relationship between workplace happiness, hopelessness,
and turnover intention, analysing how these emotional factors influence talent retention in Mexico’s
integration into global value chains. Understanding workplace wellbeing in competitive and demanding
environments is critical for organisational sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach – Adopting a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 414
Mexican employees through online questionnaires and analysed using covariance-based structural
equation modelling in Jamovi. The analysis tested the mediating role of hopelessness in the workplace
happiness–turnover intention relationship and assessed whether gender moderates these effects.
Findings – Workplace happiness significantly reduces turnover intention; however, this protective effect
is weakened when employees experience high levels of hopelessness. Gender-based differences were
also observed: women benefit more from workplace happiness in reducing turnover intention, whereas
men are more strongly affected by hopelessness.
Practical implications – The results emphasise the need for organisational strategies that foster
emotional wellbeing and address gender-specific needs, particularly in companies where workforce
stability is essential to maintaining operational performance.
Originality/value – This research advances the conservation of resources theory by demonstrating the
mediating role of hopelessness in the link between workplace happiness and turnover intention, while
incorporating a gender perspective seldom addressed in this context. It also provides empirical evidence
on the role of emotional wellbeing in sustaining workforce stability in firms engaged in global trade.
Keywords Workplace happiness, Hopelessness, Turnover intention, Gender,
Conservation of resources theory, Employee retention, Wellbeing, Job satisfaction,
Organisational commitment