Emotional Labor, Performance Goal Orientation, and Burnout from the Perspective of Conservation of Resources: A United States/China Comparison

Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study explores the relationship between emotional labor and job burnout in the context of individualist versus collectivist cultures. The moderating effect of performance goal orientation is included in the analysis to learn how it relates to burnout. Based on a sample of public servants in the United States and China, results show that: (1) emotive pretending has a positive main effect on burnout, regardless of culture; (2) authentic emotive expression has no effect on burnout, regardless of culture; (3) performance goal orientation does not have a significant effect on the relationship between emotive pretending and burnout in either culture; (4) despite the positive relationship between pretending and burnout in both, it is mitigated by collectivist culture. These findings indicate that there is less difference between East and West than is usually assumed, but the nuances of culture are instructive. Implications for performance consulting, training, and development are discussed.