Workplace Attitudes and Work-life Challenges-based Side-hustling Intentions of the Tech Professionals: A PLS-SEM-Based Approach

Alternative work arrangements especially side-hustling grew as a huge disrupting force in shaping the post-pandemic workplaces. The present study entails the empirical investigation of withdrawal cognitions of employees by quantifying the impact of job attitudes, particularly their workplace attitudes (WPAs) and work-life challenges (WLCs) on the moonlighting intentions (MLIs) of the tech professionals. As per the best knowledge of the authors, this is the earliest attempt to study both the WPAs and WLCs of tech professionals towards their MLIs through the lens of the attitudes and alternatives model of withdrawal cognitions. The study tests eight hypotheses to fulfil its objectives. Organisational commitment, turnover intentions, financial strain, entrepreneurial motivation and job strain are found to be positively and significantly impacting the MLIs of the workforce. Through this study, it is advised to both the organisational leadership and the Indian government to watch out for the long-run impacts before prohibiting moonlighting for their workforce and propose robust regulations on a national level in light of the evolution of hybrid workplaces. Research limitations, theoretical and practical implications along with future directions have also been revealed.