Exploring Hygiene and Motivational Drivers of Employee Career Commitment in Shanghai’s Pet Retail Sector

  • Wang Kehui Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
  • Ang Hong Loong Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Keywords: Hygiene factors, Motivational factor, Career commitment, Pet shop industry, Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory

Abstract

The present study explores the impact of hygiene and motivator factors on career commitment among workers in the pet retail industry in Shanghai. Consistent with Herzberg (1959) Two-Factor Theory, three hygiene factors, payment, working conditions, and working relationships, and one motivational factor, training and development, were tested for their direct effect on career commitment. The sample consisted of 138 employees from pet shops in Shanghai and the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used as the analytic approach. Results are that pay, working conditions, and training and development significantly increase career commitment, while working relationships are less influential. The importance of equitable compensation, good working conditions, and ongoing employee development as well as their relationship to a long-term commitment is reinforced by the findings. Practically, the findings of this study can support managers and policy makers in the development of effective motivation programs that increase employee commitment and will assist in improving turnover rates within the growing pet retail industry.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adams, J. S. (1963). Towards an understanding of inequity. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(5), 422-436. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0040968

Adeshola, I., Oluwajana, D., Awosusi, A. A., & Sogeke, O. S. (2023). Do cultural dimensions influence management style and organizational culture in a multicultural environment? Case study of Northern Cyprus. Kybernetes, 52(10), 3918-3937.

Alhafidz, F. (2023). Study of employee motivation and performance by focusing on the work environment and laboratory facilities at the Aviation Technology Center. Produktif, 2(2), 104-110. https://doi.org/10.37481/jko.v2i2.104

Alias, N. E., Nokman, F. N., Ismail, S., Koe, W. L., & Othman, R. (2018). The effect of payment, recognition, empowerment, and work-life balance on job satisfaction in Malaysia’s oil and gas industry. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(9), 639–656. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v8-i9/4603

An, J., & Lasi, M. B. A. (2024). The interplay of fairness and performance-based pay: Insights into employee compensation satisfaction. Vision Board of Knowledge, 1(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.70088/vbqbbe73

Andrukonis, A., Hall, N. J., & Protopopova, A. (2020). The Impact of Caring and Killing on Physiological and Psychometric Measures of Stress in Animal Shelter Employees: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24), 9196. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH17249196

Ang, H. L., Lada, S., & Wang, K. (2024). Employee motivational factors and job satisfaction: A conceptual study. International Scientific Conference on Business, Economics, Applied Sciences and Management (ISC-BEAM), 1(1), 1040–1048. https://doi.org/10.21009/isc-beam.011.73

Anisa, N. P., Sumardi, R. A., Dewi, N. K., & Saleh, M. Z. (2024). Enhancing Service Quality Through Employee Training and Development: A Literature Review. Jurnal Riset Manajemen, 2(4), 19–31. https://doi.org/10.54066/jurma.v2i4.2549

Anwar, G., & Shukur, I. (2015). The impact of training and development on job satisfaction: a case study of private banks in Erbil. International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies, 2(1), 65-72.

Awadh, A. M., & Saad, A. M. (2013). Impact of organizational culture on employee performance. International review of management and business research, 2(1), 168-175.

Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2007). The job demands-resources model: State of the art. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 22(3), 309-328.

Baporikar, N. (2024). Training and development to enhance motivation and knowledge transfer. In Training and development for job satisfaction and organizational achievement (pp. 117–137). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1674-0.ch005

Biggs, D. M., Swailes, S., & Baker, S. (2016). The measurement of worker relations: the development of a three-component scale. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 37(1), 2-12.

Blau, G. J. (1985). The measurement and prediction of career commitment. Journal of occupational Psychology, 58(4), 277-288.

Brando, S., Rachinas-Lopes, P., & Hart, L. A. (2023). Understanding Job Satisfaction and Occupational Stressors of Distinctive Roles in Zoos and Aquariums. Animals, 13(12), 2018. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13122018

Brown, S. P., & Peterson, R. A. (1993). Antecedents and consequences of salesperson job satisfaction: Meta-analysis and assessment of causal effects. Journal of marketing research, 30(1), 63-77.

Budiadi, H., Hasbi, M., & Setiyowati, S. (2024). Employee Development Strategies to Improve Skills and Job Satisfaction. Global International Journal of Innovative Research, 2(9), 1997–2006. https://doi.org/10.59613/global.v2i9.292

Caja, M. S. L., Rivera, S. M. D. P., & Esteban, C. M. (2024). Work performance and interpersonal relationships of nursing professionals. Review of the topic. Agonimias, 2, 91. https://doi.org/10.62486/agmu202491

Cao, X., Zhang, H., Li, P., & Huang, X. (2022). The influence of mental health on job satisfaction: mediating effect of psychological capital and social capital. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 797274.

Chen, Y. (2025). Analyze the reasons for the rise of the pet economy in different city tier in recent years, and consider the development in China in the next three years. Finance & Economics, 1(4). https://doi.org/10.61173/8hy6rj70

Cherkesova, E. Y., Breusova, E. A., Savchishkina, E. P., & Demidova, N. E. (2016). Competitiveness of the human capital as strategic resource of innovational economy functioning. Journal of advanced research in law and economics, 7(7), 1662-1667.

International Import Expo Bureau. (2024, January 2). China's major consumption trends in 2023. China International Import Expo (CIIE). https://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/news/exhibition/market/20240102/42387.html

Coetzee, M., & Schreuder, D. (2011). The relation between career anchors, emotional intelligence and employability satisfaction among workers in the service industry. Southern African Business Review, 15(3), 76-97.

Colley, S. L. (2017). Equitable Education for Introverts: Providing Learning Opportunities That Prepare Nursing Students to Be Leaders. Nurse Educator, 43(5), 224–226. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000000488

Cropanzano, R., & Mitchell, M. S. (2005). Social exchange theory: An interdisciplinary review. Journal of management, 31(6), 874-900.

DeVaro, J., Gürtler, O., Gürtler, M., & Deutscher, C. (2024). Big Fish in Small (and Big) Ponds: A Study of Careers. The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, 40(1), 76-107.

Dunn, E. W., Aknin, L. B., & Norton, M. I. (2014). Prosocial spending and happiness: Using money to benefit others pays off. Current directions in psychological science, 23(1), 41-47.

Elagaili, T. A. M., Azam, S. M. F., Tham, J., & Khatibi, A. (2024). Role of training and development programs in enhancing the employees job satisfaction and loyalty. Sustainable Business and Society in Emerging Economies, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.26710/sbsee.v6i3.3106

Elziny, M., & Mohamned Emam, H. E. E.-D. (2021). The interactive impact of organizational support, service training and empowerment on employees’ affective commitment and service recovery performance: Hotel front office department’s perspective. Journal of Association of Arab Universities for Tourism and Hospitality, 20(3), 148–172. https://doi.org/10.21608/JAAUTH.2021.68852.1160

Erden, N. S. (2011). Mediating effects of organization-based self-esteem on the relationship between organizational justice and organizational commitment (Master’s thesis, Marmara University). Marmara Universitesi Repository.

Ferri, L. de A. F., Hernández, B. P. M., Hofer, K. R., & Fazeli, M. S. (2023). Personality diversity in the workplace: A systematic literature review on introversion. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 38(2), 165–187. https://doi.org/10.1080/15555240.2023.2192504

Fisher, C. D. (2000). Mood and emotions while working: missing pieces of job satisfaction? Journal of Organizational Behavior: The International Journal of Industrial, Occupational and Organizational Psychology and Behavior, 21(2), 185-202.

Gazioglu, S., & Tansel, A. (2006). Job satisfaction in Britain: Individual and job related factors. Applied Economics, 38(10), 1163-1171.

Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1975). Development of the Job Diagnostic Survey. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60(2), 159–170. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0076546

Haiedar, M. H., & Kholifah, S. N. (2025). The Impact of Occupational Safety, Workload, and Compensation on Employee Job Satisfaction in the Mining Industry: A Case Study of PT BCKA. Journal of Management and Informatics, 4(1), 587–598. https://doi.org/10.51903/jmi.v4i1.53

Hair Jr, J. F., Matthews, L. M., Matthews, R. L., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). PLS-SEM or CB-SEM: updated guidelines on which method to use. International Journal of Multivariate Data Analysis, 1(2), 107-123.

Harmer, R. J., & Findlay, B. M. (2005). The effect of workplace relationships on employee job satisfaction for 25 to 35 year olds. Swinburne Research Bank. https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/items/e8fca4b5-dca3-4613-9391-e870447f5ef7/1/

Herzberg, F. (1959). The Motivation to Work (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

Herzberg, F. (1966). Work and the nature of man. World Publishing Co.

Herzberg, F., Mausner, B., & Snyderman, B. (1959). The motivation to work. John Wiley & Sons.

Hidayah, N., Rahmawati, N. I., & Wismar’ein, D. (2024). The effect of compensation and work motivation on employee work productivity through employee satisfaction as an intervening variable at PT. Tarindo 3 Juwana Pati. KnE Social Sciences, 9(18), 142–156. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v9i17.16318

Huang, J., Yao, Y., Jiang, J., & Li, C. (2018). Effects of motivational methods on oral hygiene of orthodontic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 97(47), e13182. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000013182

Humphrey, S. E., Nahrgang, J. D., & Morgeson, F. P. (2007). Integrating motivational, social, and contextual work design features: a meta-analytic summary and theoretical extension of the work design literature. Journal of applied psychology, 92(5), 1332–1356. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.92.5.1332

iResearch. (2023). China pet industry consumer behavior report. iResearch Consulting Group.

Jalaman, J. R. C., & Encarnacion, R. E. (2024). Employee satisfaction on compensation system: Basis for an improved payroll management system with face recognition and attendance monitoring technology. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology, 516–524. https://doi.org/10.48175/IJARSCT-19070

Jiang, Y., Li, P., Wang, J., & Li, H. (2019). Relationships between kindergarten teachers’ empowerment, job satisfaction, and organizational climate: A Chinese model. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 33(2), 257-270. https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2019.1574152

Kabir, M. N., & Parvin, M. M. (2011). Factors affecting employee job satisfaction of pharmaceutical sector. Australian journal of business and management research, 1(9), 113-123.

Kammeyer-Mueller, J. D., Judge, T. A., & Scott, B. A. (2009). The role of core self-evaluations in the coping process. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(1),177–195. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013214

Koo, B., Yu, J., Chua, B. L., Lee, S., & Han, H. (2020). Relationships among emotional and material rewards, job satisfaction, burnout, affective commitment, job performance, and turnover intention in the hotel industry. Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism, 21(4), 371-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/1528008X.2019.1691705

Kuntari, D., & Bilgah, B. (2024). Pengaruh Lingkungan Kerja dan Kepuasan Kerja terhadap Kinerja Karyawan pada PT Bandar Bakau Jaya Jakarta Utara. Cemerlang, 4(4), 22–44. https://doi.org/10.55606/cemerlang.v4i4.3193

Kutty, S. R. S., Maheshwari, K. M., Pandey, S., & Chitrao, P. (2024). Impact of Organizational Support and Home Workspace Environment on the WLB of Women Employees in the IT Sector. In Advances in E-Business Research Series (pp. 237–258). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-7056-8.ch009

Lamb, J. (2017). Quantitative methods. Wiley Encyclopedia of Social Theory. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781405165518.wbeosq002

Lambert, E. (2003). The impact of organizational justice on correctional staff. Journal of criminal justice, 31(2), 155-168. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0047-2352(02)00222-2

Laxmana, M. I., & Paryontri, R. A. (2023). Equitable Reward with Job Satisfaction for Non-Management Employees. Psikoborneo: Jurnal Ilmu Psikologi, 11(2), 225. https://doi.org/10.30872/psikoborneo.v11i2.10773

Locke, E. A. (1969). What is job satisfaction? Organizational behavior and human performance, 4(4), 309-336. https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-5073(69)90013-0

London, M., & Smither, J. W. (1995). Can multi‐source feedback change perceptions of goal accomplishment, self‐evaluations, and performance‐related outcomes? Theory‐based applications and directions for research. Personnel psychology, 48(4), 803-839. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.1995.tb01782.x

Lu, H., & Li, J. (2025). Future Development Forecast of Pet Industry Based on Gray Prediction and Wavelet Neural Network Model. Highlights in Business, Economics and Management, 53, 237–245. https://doi.org/10.54097/5m1jsy42

Lund, D. B. (2003). Organizational culture and job satisfaction. Journal of business & industrial marketing, 18(3), 219-236. https://doi.org/10.1108/0885862031047313

Ma, S., Silva, M. G., Callan, V. J., & Trigo, V. (2016). Control and commitment HR practices, job satisfaction and turnover intentions: a comparison between local and multinational firms in China. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(9), 974-990. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1020445

Mafini, C. (2016). The contribution of organisational climate to employee well-being. Journal of Applied Business Research, 32(4), 1157–1172.

Mahmood, N. A., & Tajuddin, N. I. I. (2024). Exploring the Relationship between Hygiene Factors and Job Satisfaction in Workplace. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(7), 1894–1908. https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i7.4345

Malik, A., Froese, F. J., & Sharma, P. (2020). Role of HRM in knowledge integration: Towards a conceptual framework. Journal of Business Research, 109, 524-535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.01.029

Mardanov, I. (2021). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, organizational context, employee contentment, job satisfaction, performance and intention to stay. Evidence-based HRM: A Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship, 9(3), 223–240. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBHRM-06-2020-0095

Mitchell, T. R. (1974). Expectancy models of job satisfaction, occupational preference and effort: A theoretical, methodological, and empirical appraisal. Psychological Bulletin, 81(12), 1053–1077. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0037495

Mulyanti, R. (2024). The Influence of Competence, Motivation, Self-Efficacy and Compensation on Job Satisfaction and Employee Performance: Human Resource Management. Siber Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary, 1(4), 196-213.

Naeeni, K. S., Lobos-Rivera, M. E., & Bhat, R. (2024). Reducing Work Stress through Employee Engagement: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Deleted Journal, 2(1), 19–26. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.psychnexus.2.1.4

National Bureau of Statistics of China. (2023). The number of pet shops in Shanghai: Annual report. Statistical Bulletin of Shanghai's Economic Development, 2023(2), 15-20. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.psychnexus.2.1.4

Obiekwe, O., & Obibhunun, L. (2019). Impact of employee job satisfaction on organizational performance. Academic Journal of Current Research, 6(12), 6-12.

Pathak, D. N. (2024). Impact of Compensation and Benefits on the Job Satisfaction of Employees: Case of Iron Industry in REAL GROUP. International Scientific Journal of Engineering and Management, 03(05), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.55041/isjem01777

Peccei, R., & Rosenthal, P. (2001). Delivering customer-oriented behaviour through empowerment: An empirical test of HRM assumptions. Journal of Management Studies, 38(6), 831–857. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6486.00261

Pet Industry in China. (2023) Statista. Retrieved December 31, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/992408/china-number-of-dogs/

Petrova, M., Koval, V., Tepavicharova, M., Zerkal, A., Radchenko, A., & Bondarchuk, N. (2020). The interaction between the human resources motivation and the commitment to the organization. Journal of Security and Sustainability Issues, 9(3), 897–907. https://doi.org/10.9770/JSSI.2020.9.3(15)

Puah, P., & Ananthram, S. (2006). Exploring the antecedents and outcomes of career development initiatives: Empirical evidence from Singaporean employees. Research and practice in human resource management, 14(1), 112-142.

Raj, S. Y. (2024). Impact of employee skill development practices on employees job satisfaction at (the aec associates). Indian Scientific Journal of Research in Engineering And Management, 08(04), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsrem32396

Rizwan, M., Khan, W. M., Tariq, H. M., Ghaffar, A., Anjum, M. Z., & Bajwa, E. U. (2012). Empirical study of Employee job Satisfaction. OSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM), 3(1), 29-35.

Robertson, F. (2016). Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory. In Management Theories and Models (pp. 173–176). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315585697-24

Sahyoni, N. K. T., & Supartha, I. W. G. (2020). The effect of organizational culture, organizational commitments and job satisfaction on organizational citizenship behaviour. American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research, 4(3), 425-432.

Smerek, R. E., & Peterson, M. (2007). Examining Herzberg’s theory: Improving job satisfaction among non-academic employees at a university. Research in higher education, 48, 229-250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-006-9042-3

Soegiarto, I., Sihite, M., & Usmany, P. (2024). The influence of training and development programs, job autonomy, and organizational culture on employee job satisfaction and performance. International Journal of Business, Law, and Education, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.56442/ijble.v5i2.596

Sun, W., Tang, M., Zheng, B., & Su, Z. (2025). New Hotspot of Pet Economy: Study of Consumers’ Purchase Intent for Pet Toys in China. Qeios, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.32388/h7b0qm.2

Sweins, C., Kalmi, P., & Hulkko-Nyman, K. (2009). Personnel knowledge of the pay system, pay satisfaction and pay effectiveness: evidence from Finnish personnel funds. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 20(2), 457-477. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585190802673513

Tang, Y., Shao, Y. F., & Chen, Y. J. (2019). Assessing the mediation mechanism of job satisfaction and organizational commitment on innovative behavior: the perspective of psychological capital. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 2699. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02699

Tashobya, C., Nimusima, P., Mugabe, R., & Begumisa, B. (2022). The Impact of Job Training on Employee’s Satisfaction: A Study in Public Institutions in Western Uganda. UKH Journal of Social Sciences, 6(2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.25079/ukhjss.v6n2y2022.pp1-8

Truitt, D. L. (2011). The effect of training and development on employee attitude as it relates to training and work proficiency. Sage Open, 1(3), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244011433338

Vijayakumar, V. S. R., & Saxena, U. (2015). Herzberg Revisited: Dimensionality and Structural Invariance of Herzberg’s Two Factor Model. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 41(2), 291-299. https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-4017249561/herzberg-revisited-dimensionality-and-structural

Wang, B., Li, J., Zhe, L., & Ziyui, W. (2023, February). Market Analysis and Strategy of Pet Industry Under Epidemic Situation Market Strategy Based on Case Analysis. In International Conference on Business and Policy Studies (pp. 357-365). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-9882-3_33

Wang, Z., Cao, H. H., & Lin, L. (2022). Analysis of the future development trend of the pet industry. Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research, 220, 1469–1473. https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.220307.275

Warner, M. (2013). Human resource management in the People's Republic of China. In P. S. Budhwar & Y. A. Debrah (Eds.), Human resource management in developing countries (pp. 19–33). Routledge.

Watung, S. R., Rattu, F. M. L., Sumual, S. D. M., & Wuisang, J. R. H. (2021). The Effect of Incentives Provision on Work Commitment of Employees at Bethesda General Hospital of Tomohon City. Society, 9(2), 643-653. https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v9i2.273

Weiss, D. J. (1967). Minnesota satisfaction questionnaire. University of Minnesota, Industrial Relations Center, Work Adjustment Project.

Weiss, H. M., & Cropanzano, R. (1996). Affective events theory: A theoretical discussion of the structure, causes and consequences of affective experiences at work. Research in Organizational Behavior, 18(1), 1–74.

Wijaya, N. H. S., & Rezeki, W. O. N. H. (2020). The use of economic and social exchange perspectives in linking salary satisfaction, work relationship, and employee performance. Journal of Applied Business and Management, 6(3), 653. https://doi.org/10.17358/JABM.6.3.653

Wu, J. R., Iwanaga, K., Chan, F., Lee, B., Chen, X., Walker, R., Fortuna, K. L., & Brooks, J. M. (2023). Positive organizational psychology factors as serial multiple mediators of the relationship between organization support and job satisfaction among peer support specialists. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 33(1), 121-133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-022-10058-3

Wularsih, E. A., & Octafian, R. (2024). The impact of work environment and job satisfaction on employee loyalty. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen, 14(1), 1–15.

Xu, X., Zhou, L., Ampon-Wireko, S., & Quansah, P. E. (2023). Assessing the mediating role of motivation in the relationship between perceived management support and perceived job satisfaction among family doctors in Jiangsu province, China. Human Resources for Health, 21(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-023-00855-z

Yang, M. (2023). Research on service marketing strategies of ZL Pet Shop [Master’s thesis, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics]. China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI). https://ink.cnki.net/doi/10.27455/d.cnki.gycmc.2023.001010

Yani, A. H., Salfadri, S., & Yulistia, Y. (2024). Pengaruh harga kualitas pelayanan dan kepuasan pelanggan terhadap loyalitas pelanggan Toko R4 Petshop Padang. Economie-Management Jurnal, 2(2), 1050. https://doi.org/10.31933/emjm.v2i2.1050

Yap, M., Cukier, W., Holmes, M. R., & Hannan, C. A. (2010). Career satisfaction: A look behind the races. Relations industrielles, 65(4), 584-608. https://doi.org/10.7202/045584ar

Ybañez, R. (2024). Application of Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory: Motivational Factors and Hygiene Factors in the Financial Industry. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2024.0055

Published
2025-10-29
Section
Articles