A Closer Look at the Relationship between Life Satisfaction and Job Performance

The central aim of this research was to examine the mediating role of bonding social capital and affective commitment in the life satisfaction – job performance relationship. The proposed relationships were tested by conducting two survey studies within the context of two separate Pakistani organizations. For study 1, the sample comprised of 183 employees who were drawn from a new start-up company; whereas, for study 2 the sample consisted of 187 employees who were working in a large footwear company. Both studies used identical variables with the only difference being that in study 1 in-role performance and innovative work behaviour were used as the two indicators of job performance; whereas, for study 2 innovative work behaviour was replaced with organizational citizenship behaviour. Structural equation modelling was used to test the direct and mediating effects. Results showed that in both studies, bonding social capital and affective commitment fully mediated the link between life satisfaction and the different facets of job performance. The implications and limitations of this research are discussed.