Does work-based social support matter? A perspective on Gen Z hospitality interns

Purpose The purpose of this study is to address the gaps in current internship research and practices which neglect the impact of work-based social support relative to the emerging Generation Z (Gen Z) workers’ distinct work behaviours and the changing landscape of hospitality work, which has prompted businesses to attract interns into their workforce. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative data collected from 161 Gen Z hospitality interns was analysed using partial least squares-sequential equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to determine whether and how work-based social support constructs, namely organisational support (OS), workplace connectedness (WC) and intern recognition (IR), influence internship satisfaction (IS) and career intentions (CI). Findings The proposed structural model illustrated significant positive influences among OS, WC and IR in predicting IS and CI. Moreover, this study determines the mediating role of IS between the work-based social support variables and Gen Z hospitality interns’ CI. Practical implications These findings imply that managers and internship trainers should focus on work-based social support, such as valuing interns’ professional growth and personal development and recognising their efforts to attract Gen Z interns to pursue a career in the organisation post-internship. Originality/value This study provides novelty by extending the social support theory to incorporate work-based social support variables in predicting Gen Z hospitality interns’ IS and CI.