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PurposeDrawing on signaling theory and the "signal transmission–interpretation–feedback" framework, this study explores the effects of perceived distributive justice and respect from managers on nurses' work meaningfulness and work effort in public hospitals in China and examines the moderating role of work self-efficacy.Design/methodology/approachWe collected 341 paired questionnaires for nurses and managers from four public hospitals in China. The data were analyzed by structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression analysis.FindingsDistributive justice and managers' respect for employees are positively related to work meaningfulness. Additionally, work self-efficacy negatively moderates this relationship. Work meaningfulness is positively related to work effort and fully mediates the relationships between perceived distributive justice and respect from the manager and work effort.Practical implicationsThis study provides useful insights for healthcare organizations to improve nurses' work meaningfulness from the perspectives of their material and emotional needs, according to their work self-efficacy characteristics, thus promoting their work effort. The findings offer important guidance for improving the effectiveness of grass-roots human resources to cope with unpredictable situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueThis study focuses on the organization's environmental factors that affect the primary staff's work meaningfulness. Further, it analyzes the differences in signal interpretation among nurses with different work self-efficacy characteristics, thus providing new insights into work meaningfulness. Through manager–nurse pairing data, it reveals the important role of work meaningfulness in motivating work effort.

AbstractGiven the global trend of labor force aging and the ongoing challenge of engaging mature-age workers, researchers have begun to explore human resource practices that are tailored to the needs of mature-age workers. However, knowledge about how such practices influence older individuals' motivation at work is limited. Drawing upon signaling theory, we developed and examined a model that specifies why and when mature-age practices are helpful in engaging mature-age workers. Using time-lagged data from 135 Chinese workers aged 40 years or above, we found that mature-age practices are associated with mature-age workers' focus on opportunities. Moreover, mature-age practices had a positive indirect effect on mature-age workers' work engagement through their focus on opportunities. This positive indirect effect of mature-age practices on work engagement via focusing on opportunities was stronger for mature-age workers with lower rather than higher work centrality. The findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical implications for the aging workforce management literature and practical implications are provided for managers seeking to engage mature-age workers.