Although tourism significantly contributes to the global economy and serves as a major source of foreign earnings for numerous nations, it continues to face persistent challenges. This situation highlights the need to explore factors that can boost organizational productivity. Accordingly, the present research examined how polychronicity influences job performance and work engagement among employees in the tourism sector. The study also tested the mediating effect of the supervisor’s organizational embodiment and the moderating role of psychological ownership. Data were obtained from 733 individuals employed in private tourism establishments in Petra, Jordan, using a structured questionnaire, and analyzed through AMOS-24. The analysis indicated that employees with higher levels of polychronicity display stronger job performance and engagement. Furthermore, the supervisor’s organizational embodiment acted as a positive mediator in both relationships. Psychological ownership further reinforced the connection between polychronicity and the two employee outcomes. Since this research emphasizes work engagement and job performance as critical behavioral indicators, its results can guide tourism and hospitality managers in enhancing workforce engagement and effectiveness. Additionally, scholars examining polychronic behavior in organizational contexts may find this study a useful reference point.
