ORGANISATIONAL TRUST AND EMPLOYEE WORK PASSION OF PRIVATE HOSPITALS IN PORT HARCOURT: THE MODERATING ROLE OF POWER DISTANCE

Abstract

This “study examined the moderating role of power distance on the relationship between organisational trust and employee work passion in private hospitals in Port Harcourt. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, with data collected from 93 healthcare workers using a structured questionnaire. The study was anchored on social exchange theory, which explains how trust fosters positive employee attitudes such as work passion. Moderated multiple regression analysis revealed that organisational trust has a positive and significant effect on employee work passion, while power distance also significantly influences work outcomes. The findings further showed that power distance significantly moderates the relationship between organisational trust and employee work passion, with the interaction term indicating a moderate effect. Specifically, lower power distance strengthens the positive impact of trust on work passion through improved communication, participation, and mutual respect. Conversely, higher power distance weakens this relationship by limiting openness and employee involvement. The study concludes that organisational trust alone is not sufficient to drive employee work passion without considering the hierarchical context within hospitals. It therefore recommends that private hospital management should reduce excessive hierarchical barriers and promote open communication to enhance trust and stimulate employee work passion for improved healthcare service” delivery.