Investigating the effect of job insecurity perception on psychological well-being and unethical behaviors

Industrial and global changes have led to rapid transformation in the organizational sphere. These changes have caused employees to perceive threats to their current jobs. These perceptions, which have a significant impact on both cognitive and physical health, also influence individual behavior. The repercussions of this attitude affect the organization through individuals. The problems that arise manifest themselves in individuals as absenteeism or workforce loss, abuse of authority, dissatisfaction, and hopelessness about the future, while organizationally they can manifest as inefficiency, lack of development, injustice, loss of trust from the environment, and corporate collapse. The primary objective of this study is to examine the impact of perceived job insecurity on psychological well-being and unethical behaviors within the organizational environment. Another aim of this study is to offer appropriate strategies for improving organizational conditions and preventing unethical behavior. In particular, reviewing human resources management practices and leadership approaches is critical to increasing the psychological job security of employees and ensuring ethical conditions. Accordingly, this study aims to make a valuable contribution to the general literature and practical applications. This research was conducted using a survey technique within the framework of a relational survey model. Based on quantitative data, the SPSS 26 program was used for data analysis. In this way, a systematic and quantitative approach was adopted in the research processes, hypotheses were tested, and relationships between variables were revealed. The research population consists of blue-collar employees of large textile manufacturing companies in Düzce, where employee turnover rates are quite high. Therefore, it was not possible to give a precise population size. Primary data were collected from employees of companies that allowed the research to be conducted from this uncertain popülistin through face-to-face surveys. In the research, the convenience sampling method was used to ensure equal representation of employees in the sample. According to the research results, it was concluded that the perception of job insecurity has an effect that increases unethical behavior. In terms of psychological well-being, job insecurity negatively affects the optimism sub-dimension, while there is a positive interaction with the sub-dimensions of unethical behavior, and job insecurity has a reducing effect on optimism.