Workplace happiness, hopelessness, and turnover intention: a gender-based multigroup analysis in an emerging market

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between workplace happiness, hopelessness, and turnover intention, analysing how these emotional factors influence talent retention in Mexico’s integration into global value chains. Understanding workplace wellbeing in competitive and demanding environments is critical for organisational sustainability. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 414 Mexican employees through online questionnaires and analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling in Jamovi. The analysis tested the mediating role of hopelessness in the workplace happiness–turnover intention relationship and assessed whether gender moderates these effects. Findings Workplace happiness significantly reduces turnover intention; however, this protective effect is weakened when employees experience high levels of hopelessness. Gender-based differences were also observed: women benefit more from workplace happiness in reducing turnover intention, whereas men are more strongly affected by hopelessness. Practical implications The results emphasise the need for organisational strategies that foster emotional wellbeing and address gender-specific needs, particularly in companies where workforce stability is essential to maintaining operational performance. Originality/value This research advances the conservation of resources theory by demonstrating the mediating role of hopelessness in the link between workplace happiness and turnover intention, while incorporating a gender perspective seldom addressed in this context. It also provides empirical evidence on the role of emotional wellbeing in sustaining workforce stability in firms engaged in global trade.