In Search of an Ideal Modern Knowledge Worker

Abstract

What is the role of personal resources and challenging work role demands in work engagement development? We address this question through a mixed-methods research design using two studies. Both studies were conducted among highly specialized knowledge workers. Based on a literature review and a qualitative interview study (Study 1), we identified two personal resources and four challenging work role demands associated with work engagement development. In a consequent quantitative survey (Study 2), we developed and tested a theoretical model proposing that personal resources are positively related to work engagement development and that challenging work role demands moderate these relationships. We used hierarchical cluster analysis to divide our respondents (N = 391) into three work role clusters based on creativity, curiosity, flexibility, and self-reported initiative. Analysis of covariance was applied for testing the influence of entrepreneurial passion and life satisfaction on work engagement with the interaction of work role clusters. Our results confirmed that both personal resources and challenging work role demands are drivers of work engagement and that the drivers of work engagement significantly differ among individual knowledge workers.