Analysing crab syndrome through the perspective of life history theory

Abstract

Purpose: This research aims to explain the relationships among crab syndrome, stress caused by uncertainty and organisational commitment (affective-continuance-normative) and explores unknown aspects of crab syndrome. Crab syndrome is a metaphor that depicts how emotions and personality are shaped, focusing on competition for access to resources in which others are viewed as threats.

Design/methodology/approach: Research hypotheses were proposed and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were collected through an online questionnaire administered in the hospitality sector in Turkey.

Findings/results: The results indicate a positive significant relationship between stress caused by uncertainty and crab syndrome. Crab syndrome has a positive significant impact on affective and continuance commitment. It mediates the relationship between stress caused by uncertainty and organisational commitment (affective-continuance).

Practical implications: The theoretical framework draws on life history theory to address crab syndrome. Stress caused by uncertainty was a key factor affecting individual’s behaviours. Crab syndrome and organisational commitment are outcomes of stress caused by uncertainty. The results show hospitality employees can support their businesses in taking a step forward in competition. In addition, this research contributes to the extension of the crab syndrome literature. The longitudinal effects of variables could not be assessed because the study was cross-sectional in design. However, it only included the hospitality sector, and the convenience sampling method was used.

Originality/value: This research expanded the existing crab syndrome literature and provided new contributions to research in the hospitality sector in the Turkish context.