PurposeThis study aims to examine the interplay between person-environment fit (PE fit), empowerment and leader-member exchange (LMX) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Design/methodology/approachThe final sample consisted of 733 respondents collected randomly from various business sectors in the UAE. Data was analysed and tested for moderation using Smart-PLS.FindingsThis study's results show LMX to be a negative moderator. They reveal that LMX plays a crucial role in the relationship between PE Fit and job satisfaction, particularly when the fit is poor. Moreover, LMX was found to be a significant negative moderator between empowerment and satisfaction, highlighting its importance when empowerment is lacking.Research limitations/implicationsIt is important to note that the current study is cross-sectional, which means it cannot establish causation. Only a pure experimental design can provide such conclusive evidence. This limitation should be considered when interpreting the findings.Practical implicationsThis research highlights a significant finding in turbulent times when PE fit and empowering practices are often lacking: LMX can play a compensatory role. This insight can be invaluable for human resources managers, offering a practical solution to maintaining employee satisfaction in challenging times.Social implicationsThe positive impact of enhanced job satisfaction and improved work relationships extends beyond the organization to stakeholders and society at large.Originality/valueThis research fills a gap in the existing literature by investigating the interaction between the PE fit variable and other variables, such as LMX. This novel approach offers a new perspective for HR managers, potentially enabling them to enhance their strategies for improving employee satisfaction.Person-organization fit The things that I value in life are very similar to the things that my organization values. My personal values match my organization's values and culture. My organisation's values and culture provide a good fit with the things that I value in life. Supply-value fit (job) There is a good fit between what my job offers me and what I am looking for in a job. The attributes/characteristics that I look for in a job are fulfilled very well by my present job. The job that I currently hold gives me just about everything that I want from a job Demands-abilities (job) The match is very good between the demands of my job and my personal skills. My abilities and training are a good fit with the requirements of my job My personal abilities and education provide a good match with the demands that my job places on me leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she were not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she was not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Empowerment I am confident about my ability to do my job. The work that I do is important to me. I have significant autonomy in determining how I do my job. My impact on what happens in my department is large. My job activities are personally meaningful to me. I have a great deal of control over what happens in my department. impact (dropped) I can decide on my own how to go about doing my own work. I have considerable opportunity for independence and freedom in how I do my job. I have mastered the skills necessary for my job. The work I do is meaningful to me. I have significant influence over what happens in my department. (dropped) I am self-assured about my capabilities to perform my work activities. (dropped) Job satisfaction I find real enjoyment in my job I like my job better than the average person I am seldom bored with my job Most days I am enthusiastic about my job I feel fairly well-satisfied with my jobOriginality/valueThis research fills a gap in the existing literature by investigating the interaction between the PE fit variable and other variables, such as LMX. This novel approach offers a new perspective for HR managers, potentially enabling them to enhance their strategies for improving employee satisfaction.Person-organization fit The things that I value in life are very similar to the things that my organization values. My personal values match my organization's values and culture. My organisation's values and culture provide a good fit with the things that I value in life. Supply-value fit (job) There is a good fit between what my job offers me and what I am looking for in a job. The attributes/characteristics that I look for in a job are fulfilled very well by my present job. The job that I currently hold gives me just about everything that I want from a job Demands-abilities (job) The match is very good between the demands of my job and my personal skills. My abilities and training are a good fit with the requirements of my job My personal abilities and education provide a good match with the demands that my job places on me leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she were not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she was not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Empowerment I am confident about my ability to do my job. The work that I do is important to me. I have significant autonomy in determining how I do my job. My impact on what happens in my department is large. My job activities are personally meaningful to me. I have a great deal of control over what happens in my department. impact (dropped) I can decide on my own how to go about doing my own work. I have considerable opportunity for independence and freedom in how I do my job. I have mastered the skills necessary for my job. The work I do is meaningful to me. I have significant influence over what happens in my department. (dropped) I am self-assured about my capabilities to perform my work activities. (dropped) Job satisfaction I find real enjoyment in my job I like my job better than the average person I am seldom bored with my job Most days I am enthusiastic about my job I feel fairly well-satisfied with my jobOriginality/valueThis research fills a gap in the existing literature by investigating the interaction between the PE fit variable and other variables, such as LMX. This novel approach offers a new perspective for HR managers, potentially enabling them to enhance their strategies for improving employee satisfaction.Person-organization fit The things that I value in life are very similar to the things that my organization values. My personal values match my organization's values and culture. My organisation's values and culture provide a good fit with the things that I value in life. Supply-value fit (job) There is a good fit between what my job offers me and what I am looking for in a job. The attributes/characteristics that I look for in a job are fulfilled very well by my present job. The job that I currently hold gives me just about everything that I want from a job Demands-abilities (job) The match is very good between the demands of my job and my personal skills. My abilities and training are a good fit with the requirements of my job My personal abilities and education provide a good match with the demands that my job places on me leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she were not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she was not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Empowerment I am confident about my ability to do my job. The work that I do is important to me. I have significant autonomy in determining how I do my job. My impact on what happens in my department is large. My job activities are personally meaningful to me. I have a great deal of control over what happens in my department. impact (dropped) I can decide on my own how to go about doing my own work. I have considerable opportunity for independence and freedom in how I do my job. I have mastered the skills necessary for my job. The work I do is meaningful to me. I have significant influence over what happens in my department. (dropped) I am self-assured about my capabilities to perform my work activities. (dropped) Job satisfaction I find real enjoyment in my job I like my job better than the average person I am seldom bored with my job Most days I am enthusiastic about my job I feel fairly well-satisfied with my jobOriginality/valueThis research fills a gap in the existing literature by investigating the interaction between the PE fit variable and other variables, such as LMX. This novel approach offers a new perspective for HR managers, potentially enabling them to enhance their strategies for improving employee satisfaction.Person-organization fit The things that I value in life are very similar to the things that my organization values. My personal values match my organization's values and culture. My organisation's values and culture provide a good fit with the things that I value in life. Supply-value fit (job) There is a good fit between what my job offers me and what I am looking for in a job. The attributes/characteristics that I look for in a job are fulfilled very well by my present job. The job that I currently hold gives me just about everything that I want from a job Demands-abilities (job) The match is very good between the demands of my job and my personal skills. My abilities and training are a good fit with the requirements of my job My personal abilities and education provide a good match with the demands that my job places on me leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she were not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she was not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Empowerment I am confident about my ability to do my job. The work that I do is important to me. I have significant autonomy in determining how I do my job. My impact on what happens in my department is large. My job activities are personally meaningful to me. I have a great deal of control over what happens in my department. impact (dropped) I can decide on my own how to go about doing my own work. I have considerable opportunity for independence and freedom in how I do my job. I have mastered the skills necessary for my job. The work I do is meaningful to me. I have significant influence over what happens in my department. (dropped) I am self-assured about my capabilities to perform my work activities. (dropped) Job satisfaction I find real enjoyment in my job I like my job better than the average person I am seldom bored with my job Most days I am enthusiastic about my job I feel fairly well-satisfied with my jobOriginality/valueThis research fills a gap in the existing literature by investigating the interaction between the PE fit variable and other variables, such as LMX. This novel approach offers a new perspective for HR managers, potentially enabling them to enhance their strategies for improving employee satisfaction.Person-organization fit The things that I value in life are very similar to the things that my organization values. My personal values match my organization's values and culture. My organisation's values and culture provide a good fit with the things that I value in life. Supply-value fit (job) There is a good fit between what my job offers me and what I am looking for in a job. The attributes/characteristics that I look for in a job are fulfilled very well by my present job. The job that I currently hold gives me just about everything that I want from a job Demands-abilities (job) The match is very good between the demands of my job and my personal skills. My abilities and training are a good fit with the requirements of my job My personal abilities and education provide a good match with the demands that my job places on me leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she were not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she was not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Empowerment I am confident about my ability to do my job. The work that I do is important to me. I have significant autonomy in determining how I do my job. My impact on what happens in my department is large. My job activities are personally meaningful to me. I have a great deal of control over what happens in my department. impact (dropped) I can decide on my own how to go about doing my own work. I have considerable opportunity for independence and freedom in how I do my job. I have mastered the skills necessary for my job. The work I do is meaningful to me. I have significant influence over what happens in my department. (dropped) I am self-assured about my capabilities to perform my work activities. (dropped) Job satisfaction I find real enjoyment in my job I like my job better than the average person I am seldom bored with my job Most days I am enthusiastic about my job I feel fairly well-satisfied with my jobOriginality/valueThis research fills a gap in the existing literature by investigating the interaction between the PE fit variable and other variables, such as LMX. This novel approach offers a new perspective for HR managers, potentially enabling them to enhance their strategies for improving employee satisfaction.Person-organization fit The things that I value in life are very similar to the things that my organization values. My personal values match my organization's values and culture. My organisation's values and culture provide a good fit with the things that I value in life. Supply-value fit (job) There is a good fit between what my job offers me and what I am looking for in a job. The attributes/characteristics that I look for in a job are fulfilled very well by my present job. The job that I currently hold gives me just about everything that I want from a job Demands-abilities (job) The match is very good between the demands of my job and my personal skills. My abilities and training are a good fit with the requirements of my job My personal abilities and education provide a good match with the demands that my job places on me leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she were not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she was not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Empowerment I am confident about my ability to do my job. The work that I do is important to me. I have significant autonomy in determining how I do my job. My impact on what happens in my department is large. My job activities are personally meaningful to me. I have a great deal of control over what happens in my department. impact (dropped) I can decide on my own how to go about doing my own work. I have considerable opportunity for independence and freedom in how I do my job. I have mastered the skills necessary for my job. The work I do is meaningful to me. I have significant influence over what happens in my department. (dropped) I am self-assured about my capabilities to perform my work activities. (dropped) Job satisfaction I find real enjoyment in my job I like my job better than the average person I am seldom bored with my job Most days I am enthusiastic about my job I feel fairly well-satisfied with my jobOriginality/valueThis research fills a gap in the existing literature by investigating the interaction between the PE fit variable and other variables, such as LMX. This novel approach offers a new perspective for HR managers, potentially enabling them to enhance their strategies for improving employee satisfaction.Person-organization fit The things that I value in life are very similar to the things that my organization values. My personal values match my organization's values and culture. My organisation's values and culture provide a good fit with the things that I value in life. Supply-value fit (job) There is a good fit between what my job offers me and what I am looking for in a job. The attributes/characteristics that I look for in a job are fulfilled very well by my present job. The job that I currently hold gives me just about everything that I want from a job Demands-abilities (job) The match is very good between the demands of my job and my personal skills. My abilities and training are a good fit with the requirements of my job My personal abilities and education provide a good match with the demands that my job places on me leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she were not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Leader-member exchange (LMX) My supervisor is satisfied with my work. My supervisor understands my work problems and needs My supervisor recognises my potential. My supervisor is willing to use her/his power to help me solve work problems. My supervisor would be willing to get me out of trouble at her/his own expense. I have enough confidence in my supervisor that I would defend and justify his / her decision if he/she was not present to do so. I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. My supervisor and I share similar values, beliefs and practices about how to do this job. Empowerment I am confident about my ability to do my job. The work that I do is important to me. I have significant autonomy in determining how I do my job. My impact on what happens in my department is large. My job activities are personally meaningful to me. I have a great deal of control over what happens in my department. impact (dropped) I can decide on my own how to go about doing my own work. I have considerable opportunity for independence and freedom in how I do my job. I have mastered the skills necessary for my job. The work I do is meaningful to me. I have significant influence over what happens in my department. (dropped) I am self-assured about my capabilities to perform my work activities. (dropped) Job satisfaction I find real enjoyment in my job I like my job better than the average person I am seldom bored with my job Most days I am enthusiastic about my job I feel fairly well-satisfied with my job
