Lessons from the holy grail of industrial psychology: theoretical, practical, and social implications for HRM in the current landscape of academia amidst the Covid-19 crisis

The relationship between job satisfaction and job performance, known as the holy grail of industrial psychology, has been extensively researched but with conflicting results. Our study revisits this relationship in the context of academic organizations amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, thus providing insights for HRM in academic settings. A dynamic cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) was employed, utilizing longitudinal data from 217 lecturers in Malaysian institutions collected before, after, and two months following the initial strict lockdown in 2020. Gender and age were also considered as potential influencing factors over time. The study, aligning with the Affective Events Theory, found no direct relationship between job satisfaction and job performance, with neither being stable over time. There were no gender differences in job satisfaction and job performance, but age was a predictor of both only at the start of the lockdown. Our study indicates that it is crucial to prioritize policies and practices that enhance lecturers' job performance, particularly during stressful situations, since job performance is more significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The study also highlights the significance of lecturers' job satisfaction and job performance, as two important psychological constructs, in the current landscape of academia that focuses on talent management and the development of knowledge societies.