Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to integrate temporal comparisons into the study of organizational support. To do so, we propose a new construct, namely Temporal Perceived Organizational Support (TPOS). TPOS captures an employee’s belief that the organization supports him/her now more than it did in the past. Moreover, we aim to contribute to the understanding of the role of social comparisons (Relative Perceived Organizational Support-RPOS) and temporal comparisons (TPOS) in moderating the direct and indirect relationship between Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and its outcomes (willingness to support the organization and intent to quit). This research utilizes two field studies to demonstrate how RPOS and TPOS moderate POS outcomes through felt obligation and expected reciprocity. RPOS was found to moderate (weaken) the POS-felt obligation relationship (moderated mediation). Similarly, TPOS was found to weaken the POS-felt. Our findings indicate that perceptions of social and temporal treatment need more attention, as they can substitute the lack of POS regarding employees’ social exchange processes. A new construct (TPOS) is proposed. Moreover, it is the first time that social and temporal comparisons constructs are examined as moderators of the relationship between POS and its outcomes.