Research Article

The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period

Volume: 12 Number: 2 October 1, 2026
TR EN

The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between job insecurity and turnover intention through a systematic review and meta-analysis of empirical studies conducted during and after the COVID-19 period. The uncertainty in employment, organizational fragility, and changing work dynamics following the pandemic have increased the importance of job insecurity as a determinant of employee attitudes and behaviors. Accordingly, the study provides a comprehensive evaluation of its overall effect on turnover intention. The literature search was carried out between November 1, 2025 and March 10, 2026 using Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, ProQuest, and PubMed. A total of 797 records were initially identified and screened based on predefined inclusion criteria. After removing duplicates and assessing eligibility, 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Analyses were conducted using the MAJOR module in Jamovi, with correlation coefficients as effect sizes transformed from Fisher’s r to z. The results indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between job insecurity and turnover intention (r = 0.351, p < .001). Heterogeneity analysis supported the use of a random-effects model, and publication bias tests confirmed the robustness of the findings. Overall, job insecurity emerges as a key factor increasing employees’ turnover intentions in the post-pandemic context.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Human Resources and Industrial Relations (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 1, 2026

Submission Date

April 15, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 2

APA
Topçu, G., & Gürün Karatepe, S. (2026). The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period. Uluslararası Ekonomi Ve Yenilik Dergisi, 12(2), 667-686. https://doi.org/10.20979/ueyd.1931024
AMA
1.Topçu G, Gürün Karatepe S. The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period. UEYD. 2026;12(2):667-686. doi:10.20979/ueyd.1931024
Chicago
Topçu, Gökçe, and Seçil Gürün Karatepe. 2026. “The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period”. Uluslararası Ekonomi Ve Yenilik Dergisi 12 (2): 667-86. https://doi.org/10.20979/ueyd.1931024.
EndNote
Topçu G, Gürün Karatepe S (October 1, 2026) The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period. Uluslararası Ekonomi ve Yenilik Dergisi 12 2 667–686.
IEEE
[1]G. Topçu and S. Gürün Karatepe, “The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period”, UEYD, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 667–686, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.20979/ueyd.1931024.
ISNAD
Topçu, Gökçe - Gürün Karatepe, Seçil. “The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period”. Uluslararası Ekonomi ve Yenilik Dergisi 12/2 (October 1, 2026): 667-686. https://doi.org/10.20979/ueyd.1931024.
JAMA
1.Topçu G, Gürün Karatepe S. The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period. UEYD. 2026;12:667–686.
MLA
Topçu, Gökçe, and Seçil Gürün Karatepe. “The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period”. Uluslararası Ekonomi Ve Yenilik Dergisi, vol. 12, no. 2, Oct. 2026, pp. 667-86, doi:10.20979/ueyd.1931024.
Vancouver
1.Gökçe Topçu, Seçil Gürün Karatepe. The Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Intention to Leave: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID Period. UEYD. 2026 Oct. 1;12(2):667-86. doi:10.20979/ueyd.1931024

International Journal of Economics and Innovation

Karadeniz Technical University, Department of Economics, 61080, Trabzon/Türkiye

https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/ueyd


33974

 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.