The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in the Relationship Between Perceived Ethnic Discrimination and Continuance Commitment of Migrant Workers

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationship between perceived ethnic discrimination by migrant workers (applicants for international protection) and continuance commitment, and to analyze whether this relationship is mediated by self-esteem. In addition, it aims to contribute to the literature on the organizational outcomes of perceived ethnic discrimination. This research was conducted through a questionnaire survey of 411 migrants who applied for international protection in Turkey. As a result of the study, perceived ethnic discrimination was found to be a predictor of continuance commitment and self-esteem. In addition, it was observed that self-esteem has a mediating role in the relationship between perceived ethnic discrimination and continuance commitment. The results offer important implications for organizations and organization managers on how migrant workers should be managed and which issues require specific attention. The application of the study on migrant workers and the examination of these variables provide important contributions and practical implications to the literature. In addition, this is a rare study that examines the mediator model with the variables specified in the model using social identity theory, which has not yet been widely covered in existing literature.