Total Rewards Perception and Counterproductive Work Behavior: An Empirical Examination

Abstract

Based on the theory of emotional cognitive evaluation and emotion regulation strategies, this study clarifies how total rewards perception affects counterproductive work behavior through cognitive evaluation and regulation of emotions. Through the questionnaire survey of 388 incumbent subjects, it is found that total rewards perception negatively affects counterproductive work behavior through challenge appraisal, and positively affects counterproductive work behavior through hindrance appraisal. In addition, cognitive reappraisal and expression suppression have a moderating effect on the mediating path. Specifically, when total rewards perception occurs, employees with high levels of cognitive reappraisal tend to conduct challenging appraisals, thereby reducing the occurrence of counterproductive work behavior; employees with high expression inhibition level tend to conduct hindrance appraisals, which in turn increases the production of counterproductive work behavior.