Higher Work Engagement Research Articles

Mediating Effect of Firefighters' Resilience and Public Service Motivation Regarding the Influence of Depression on Their Work Engagement During COVID-19.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of resilience or public service motivation (PSM) on firefighters' work engagement during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We conducted an online survey with 304 firefighters assigned to Gyeonggi-do between October 27 and 28, 2022, and collected their demographic information; work-related data; mood, anxiety and insomnia symptoms; and work-related attitudes. The leading causes of firefighters' stress were physical and mental health decline due to heavy workloads (46.4%), verbal abuse and assault from civilians (33.9%), conflict with coworkers (18.4%), and death of colleagues (13.2%). The results of the logistic regression analysis revealed that high levels of resilience (OR = 1.28, p < 0.001), service motivation (OR = 1.17, p < 0.001), and non-exposure to death (OR = 0.33, p = 0.005) led to high work engagement. Mediation analysis showed that resilience and PSM mediated the influence of depression on work engagement. The work engagement of firefighters is influenced by resilience, PSM, and exposure to death.

The Moderating Role of the Five-Factor Model of Personality in the Relationship between Job Demands/Resources and Work Engagement: An Online Cross-Sectional Study.

When organizations or managers utilize personality assessments for their workers, it is crucial to consider not only personality profiles but also the interaction between these profiles and the psychosocial environmental factors in the workplace. The present study aimed to examine the moderating effects of the five-factor model (FFM) of personality traits on the relationship between job demands/resources and work engagement (WE). A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between November and December 2022, targeting full-time workers in Japan. Data were collected from 1500 participants (757 men and 743 women). The survey included demographic variables, job demands and resources (job control, supervisor, and coworker support), WE, and the FFM. The primary statistical analysis was hierarchical regression analysis, which tested the interactions between job demands/resources and each personality trait. Four significant interactions were found: job demands and neuroticism, control and neuroticism, control and conscientiousness, and supervisor support and extraversion. High conscientiousness was associated with higher WE when job control was abundant. Moreover, low levels of both neuroticism and extraversion were linked to higher WE. The results suggest that managers can enhance WE by aligning workplace factors with employee personality traits. These insights can be applied to organizational staffing decisions.

THE EFFECTS OF WORK ENGAGEMENT ON KALEIDOSCOPE CAREER MODELS

The Kaleidoscope Career Model has emerged as a novel framework within the realm of contemporary career approaches. Within the evolving landscape of the workforce, it offers significant analytical opportunities for individuals to manage their careers more effectively. Comprising parameters of authenticity, balance, and challenge, the Kaleidoscope Career Model reflects a dynamic interplay influenced by career stage, gender, and life circumstances, akin to the ever-changing patterns of a kaleidoscope. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of employees' levels of work engagement on the Kaleidoscope Career Model and its parameters. Additionally, the study seeks to contribute to the literature on the Kaleidoscope Career Model. The sample for this research consists of employees working in call centers in Trabzon (n=393). Correlation analysis was employed to assess relationships, while simple regression methods were used to evaluate effects. These analyses were conducted using the SPSS package program. The findings reveal that work engagement positively and significantly influences the Kaleidoscope Career Model, balance, and challenge parameters, while negatively impacting authenticity. Another key finding indicates that in periods of high work engagement, the challenge parameter predominates, whereas during periods of low work engagement, the authenticity parameter takes precedence.

MILLENNIALS' PERCEPTION OF START-UP COMPANY CULTURE: ENGAGEMENT, MOTIVATION AND LOYALTY MODERATED TERMINATION

This study examines the impact of corporate culture, work engagement, and work motivation on the loyalty of millennial employees in startup companies. Additionally, the research investigates how termination of employment (layoffs) can influence the relationship between these factors and employee loyalty. Data was collected from 250 millennial employees working in middle-level positions at startup companies in Jakarta. The results show that a positive corporate culture, high work engagement, and strong work motivation contribute to increased employee loyalty. However, layoffs can diminish the positive effects of work engagement and work motivation on loyalty. This research provides valuable insights for startup companies to develop strategies for enhancing millennial employee loyalty, especially in the face of challenges like layoffs.

THE MEDIATING EFFECT WORK ENGAGEMENT ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PAY SATISFACTION AND TEACHER CREATIVITY AT SMK “XYZ” IN SIDOARJO

The study aims to identify the relationship between pay satisfaction and creativity among SMK “XYZ” teachers in Sidoarjo and the mediating role of work engagement in the relationship. Data was collected by distributing the questionnaire. There were 117 teachers who were respondents in our study. The results of testing using PLS-SEM showed that the influence of pay satisfaction on creativity is not significant, but pay satisfaction significantly increases work engagement. The study finds that work engagement has a positive influence on teacher creativity. Furthermore, the results indicated that work engagement mediates the effect of pay satisfaction on the creativity of teachers. Thus, teachers who are satisfied with their pay have higher work engagement, which further increases their creativity

The leadership gap between full-time and part-time female employees

Employers interpret high numbers of contractual working hours of part-time employees as a signal for high work engagement, qualifying them for a leadership position. However, signals do not work equally well in all environments. We suggest that the value of a signal depends on corporate culture, being relatively low in companies with strict work regimes where employees are expected to be available and visible. We test this prediction combining data on female employees and their employers. Our analyses show that the positive effect of contractual hours on leadership positions varies systematically with the difference between the contractual working hours of full-time and part-time employees. The smaller the working time difference between a full-time and a part-time employee, the more likely it is that the part-timer is in a leadership position. In addition, the more a firm relies on overtime and requires strict presence at work, the larger is the statistical association between high contractual hours and leadership positions at individual level. In a world where work-life balance is increasingly important, this research provides new insights into the heterogeneity of part-time workers and the design of corporate cultures and policies to create sustainable work environments.

A structural equation model of the impacts of nurses' psychological safety and psychological contract breach.

To investigate the effects of psychological contract breach and psychological safety on health and well-being outcomes among nurses. A cross-sectional study. Data were gathered from members of the Finnish social and healthcare workers' trade union (n = 4575) in February 2023. This study focused on data from 3260 nurses. Structural equation modelling was employed to firstly explain burnout and work engagement and subsequently health and well-being outcomes in relation to perceived psychological contract breach and psychological safety. Younger male nurses, those with lower-level university degrees, and nurses employed in public hospitals reported experiencing more psychological contract breaches. Conversely, older nurses and those working in private organizations perceived a higher level of psychological safety. Psychological contract breaches were associated with increased burnout and reduced work engagement, while psychological safety contributed to lower burnout and higher work engagement. Moreover, burnout was linked to health problems and diminished mental well-being, whereas increased work engagement led to fewer health problems and improved mental well-being. The final model demonstrated excellent fit. Breaches in the psychological contract, followed by distrust, and anger significantly burden nurses, detrimentally affecting their well-being at work. Psychologically safe working environments, consequently, improve nurses' well-being at work and should be promoted within work teams. Nursing managers could receive training to understand the consequences of, and practices for supporting, a beneficial psychological work climate. The study examined psychological burden and resource factors at work, finding that psychological contract breaches increased burden and led to negative well-being outcomes. In contrast, psychological safety emerged as a positive resource for health and well-being. These results offer benefits for nurses, managers and organizations. The study was reported following the Strengthening of the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology guidelines. No patient or public contribution.

Relationship of psychological capital, transformational leadership, and internal communication to work engagement in organizations

Organization A, which represents the country in the oil and gas industry and is tasked with managing oil and gas activities in Indonesia to ensure national energy security, requires employees with high work engagement. This requires enthusiasm, dedication, and perseverance to contribute fully to their work. However, human resource management surveys and several phenomena analyzed show that work engagement in Organization A is low. This research consists of two studies: a research study and an intervention study. This research aims to analyze the relationship between psychological capital (individual internal factors), transformational leadership (individual external factors), and internal communication (organizational factors) on work engagement using a sample of 267 employees of Organization A. Using a quantitative design supported by qualitative data, and found that individual psychological capital, transformational leadership style, and internal communication in the organization significantly predicted work engagement. Among these factors, internal communication predicted work engagement beyond psychological capital and transformational leadership. An intervention study involving 23 participants was designed to determine the effectiveness of an internal communication strategy training program in increasing work engagement. Results from the intervention study showed significant improvements in participants' pre-test and post-test scores, indicating the effectiveness of the program in increasing work engagement.

Professional quality of life, psychological well-being, and work engagement of healthcare professionals in two Greek hospitals during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of healthcare professionals has emerged as an issue of great concern. To investigate the levels of professional quality of life, psychological well-being, and work engagement among healthcare professionals in two Greek hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2021 in two public hospitals in Greece. To assess the levels of professional quality of life, psychological well-being, and work engagement, respondents completed the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL-V), the Psychological Well-being (PWB) scale, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17). A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed, and 102 were returned (response rate: 68%). It was found that as burnout levels increased, the levels of work engagement decreased (rho = -0.36, p-value < 0.01). Higher levels of compassion satisfaction were associated with higher work engagement (rho = 0.48, p-value < 0.01). Multivariable analysis revealed that healthcare personnel's contact with patients or service users exposed to or who have experienced traumatic events was associated with less positive relationships with others (and, consequently, lower levels of psychological well-being) (p-value = 0.035). Healthcare professionals in the two public hospitals in Greece, experienced moderate levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their psychological well-being was also found to be moderate, and their levels of work engagement were moderate to high. Supporting the physical and psychological well-being of healthcare professionals is essential for their ability to provide high-quality care in times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authentic leadership – for better and for worse? Leader well-being and inconsistency as moderating factors in the relation between daily authentic leadership and follower well-being

ABSTRACT Despite comprehensive insights on favourable outcomes of authentic leadership for followers, there is a limited understanding about boundary conditions of authentic leadership. Leaders’ decreased well-being (i.e. high trait emotional irritation and low trait work engagement) or inconsistency in authentic leadership may attenuate the relation between authentic leadership and follower well-being (i.e. emotional irritation and work engagement). We tested these assumptions using a daily diary study design over five consecutive working days with a sample of 64 leaders and 162 followers. We found partial support for the cross-level moderation of authentic leadership inconsistency across these five days, as daily authentic leadership was related to daily work engagement (but not emotional irritation) of followers, when authentic leadership inconsistency was low. Contrary to our predictions, neither high leader trait emotional irritation nor low leader trait work engagement attenuated the relation between daily authentic leadership and daily follower well-being. The results point out to the importance of consistency in authentic leadership behaviour. However, leaders do not need to be overly concerned about negative consequences for followers when they lead authentically while having a reduced trait well-being.

Mechanisms Explaining the Longitudinal Effect of Psychosocial Safety Climate on Work Engagement and Emotional Exhaustion among Education and Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the education and healthcare sectors were severely affected. There is a need to investigate the ways in which these workers in at-risk sectors can be protected and through what mechanisms. The aims of this research are, therefore, (1) to assess the mediating role of job demands and resources in the relationship between psychosocial safety climate (PSC) and work engagement and emotional exhaustion, and (2) to test for sector-specific differences among education and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the study, which employed a longitudinal design including three measurement times, 70 education professionals and 69 healthcare professionals completed a questionnaire measuring PSC, psychological demands, social support, recognition, work engagement, and emotional exhaustion. The results show that PSC was significantly higher among education professionals than among healthcare professionals. When considering both job sectors together, mediation analyses show that social support mediates the PSC-work engagement relationship, while psychological demands mediate the PSC-emotional exhaustion relationship. Moderated mediation analyses show that job sector is a moderator: among education professionals, colleague support and recognition mediate the PSC-work engagement relationship, and psychological demands mediate the PSC-emotional exhaustion relationship. PSC is associated with more balanced job demands and resources, higher work engagement, and lower emotional exhaustion among education and healthcare professionals. The study of these two sectors, which are both vital to society but also more exposed to adverse work conditions, shows the importance that managers and executives must attach to their mental health by improving their respective working conditions.

Stress and work engagement among nurses in intensive care units: Palestinian perspective

Purpose Work engagement denotes to a state of positive and affective motivation of elevated power joined with high educational levels and a great concentration on occupation and it is negatively affected by psychological problems. This study aims to assess the stress and work engagement among Palestinian nurses working in intensive care units. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional design was adopted. A convenience sample consisting of 225 intensive care nurses from governmental hospitals was recruited to participate. Data collection used the Nursing Stress Scale and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9, and demographic data were used to gather data throughout the period from February 10 to March 30, 2023. Findings Findings demonstrated that nurses’ stress levels were high (M = 105.9 ± standard deviation [SD] = 11.91). Concerning work engagement, the nurses endorsed moderate work engagement levels with a mean of 3.7 (SD = 0.4). Regarding work engagement subscales, the mean of vigor was 3.7 (0.6), dedication with a mean of 3.7 (0.6) and absorption with a mean of 3.7 (0.6). Also, the findings showed that stress, gender and monthly income were predictors of work engagement (p &lt; 0.05). Research limitations/implications Despite the significant results, this study had the following limitations: the design was cross-sectional, which limits the ability to explore the cause and effect of the study variables, thus longitudinal studies are recommended. In addition, the study adopted a self-reported questionnaire based on participants’ understanding, culture and work context which could influence their responses. Originality/value The intensive care nurses had high stress levels and moderate work engagement. Stress, gender and monthly income were predictors of the work engagement. Thus, interventions should be encouraged to minimize stress, which has a significant influence on work engagement.

Job and off‐job crafting profiles: Time‐lagged relationships with job, home and personal resources and well‐being outcomes

AbstractCrafting research has often focused solely on the work domain or examined work and non‐work life domains separately, using a variable‐centered approach. Little is known about the interactions of crafting processes in the work and non‐work domain. In this time‐lagged study, we examined (1) the relationship between job and off‐job crafting behaviours using a person‐centered approach to identify crafting profiles, (2) whether job, home and personal resources differentially predicted these profiles and (3) whether these profiles differed in relation to outcomes, that is work engagement and mental well‐being. We conducted a three‐wave, time‐lagged survey with 3‐month intervals among 2125 employees. The results revealed three profiles of active (18.0%), average (48.2%) and least active (33.9%) crafters. Analyses of predictors showed that active crafters had higher levels of home developmental possibilities and self‐efficacy than average and least active crafters, likewise for average crafters compared with least active crafters. Furthermore, active crafters had higher levels of social support at home than least active crafters. Regarding well‐being outcomes, active crafters experienced significantly higher mental well‐being than average and least active crafters and higher work engagement than least active crafters. Interventions to enhance employee's resources could stimulate crafting behaviours, ultimately improving well‐being.

The association between psychological reactions, resilience, and work engagement among Palestinian critical care nurses in West Bank.

This study aimed to assess the association between psychological reactions (e.g., stress, anxiety, and depression), resilience, and work engagement among Palestinian critical care nurses in the West Bank and examine the correlation of psychological reactions and resilience with work engagement. Work engagement is associated with psychological reactions and resilience, particularly among critical care nurses. There is a lack of studies on work engagement and these factors in Palestine. A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was adopted. A convenience sample consisting of 273 critical care nurses from private and governmental hospitals was recruited to participate. Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-25 (CDRS-25), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9 (UWES-9), and demographic data were used to collect data during the period from March 20 to May 20, 2023. Findings demonstrated that 53.9% of the nurses reported mild-to-moderate levels of depression, 49.8% reported moderate-to-severe levels of anxiety, and 49.1% reported moderate-to-severe levels of stress. Additionally, 57.5% and 52.7% of them had low resilience and work engagement, respectively. Moreover, work engagement negatively correlated with depression (r=-0.796, P<0.01), anxiety (r=-0.654, P<0.01), and stress (r=-0.796, P<0.01), while positively correlated with resilience (r=0.42, P<0.01) and gender (r=0.121, P<0.05). Depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and gender were the main predictors of work engagement. The majority of the nurses suffered from depression, anxiety, and stress. Additionally, more than half of the participants had low resilience and work engagement. Moreover, increased depression, anxiety, and stress were correlated with decreased work engagement, while high resilience and gender as being female positively correlated with high work engagement. Policymakers and hospital administrators should develop interventions to improve critical care nurses' resilience and minimize psychological reactions, which have a significant influence on work engagement. Future studies should be conducted to examine the effectiveness of these interventions.

To be, or not to be in formalization: the relationship between HR practices and work engagement in the aviation industry

Purpose This study aims to examine the moderating role of formalization in the relationship between human resources (HR) practices and work engagement (WE) in aviation industry employees. The research revealed the moderator role of formalization, which is still one of the most critical components for aviation industry workers. Design/methodology/approach In the study, the authors used the survey method. In this explanatory and cross-sectional study, the authors examined a data set collected from aviation industry employees (n = 226) in Turkey using the partial least squares (PLS) method and tried to moderate the formalization. The authors analyzed the moderator role of formalization in the relationship between HR practices and WE with SmartPLS 3.0 and HAYES Process Macro. Findings The results of the study explain the effect of HR practices on WE in the context of social exchange theory through formalization. Findings show that formalization is an essential factor in HR practices’ resulting in higher WE. Research limitations/implications The study is cross-sectional. Research participants participated in the study voluntarily. This situation, in turn, may lead to a social desirability bias in participants' self-reported responses. To avoid this, the authors have prepared a standardized measurement tool. Again, since the authors do not request the names and institutions of the participants, confidentiality and anonymity are provided. Practical implications Research findings offer implications for companies and employees in developing economies, especially in the aviation sector. It refers to the necessity for companies aiming for a sustainable strategic position in the competitive aviation sector to attach importance to HR practices that will enable them to see their employees as a competitive advantage. In addition, the results emphasize the need for aviation industry companies to adopt an approach that considers both practices that can increase WE and formalization procedures that can affect employee behavior. Originality/value This research provides a comprehensive understanding to examine the interrelationships between HR, formalization and WE in the context of the mechanism of social change in the context of aviation industry workers. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other researcher has holistically addressed these links in general, particularly in a developing country. The findings significantly enrich the literature on HR practices and WE, particularly in the context of a developing country.

Differences in the Role of Psychological Well-Being and Subjective Well-Being in Predicting Work Engagement

Employees with high Work Engagement (WE) are believed to be more reliable in achieving organizational goals. This research aims to determine the differences in the role of well-being with the concepts of hedonic and eudemonic in predicting WE. The subjects of this research consisted of 327 people, who were analyzed in 3 stages, namely 110 people who were analyzed in stage-1, 217 people who were analyzed in stage-2, and all research subjects were analyzed in stage-3. All data for this research were collected using the WE scale, PWB scale, SWFL scale, and PANAS, which have a Chronbach alpha reliability coefficient of .773 respectively; .831; .627; 747; 744. In stage-1 research analysis, SWB and PWB show more of just one component, whereas in stage-2 and stage-3 research analysis, they are more likely to be seen as two different factors in predicting WE. The results of the stepwise model multiple regression statistical technique analysis concluded that the regression coefficient on the influence of SWB and PWB on WE from the three analyses stated that PWB was stronger than SWB in predicting WE. Thus, it can be interpreted that to predict WE the Well-Being concept with the eudemonic concept is greater than using well-being with the hedonic concept.

Does Employees’ Trust in the Management Predict Employees’ Work Engagement?

The study aimed to measure the effect of employees' trust in management on the work engagement of employees. Deepening the concepts of the study, the literature was reviewed and appropriate research methodology was applied. The study used assessment and correlational research design. The population of the study was employees of the institution (DWCL) and the data was gathered through research questionnaires. The finding of the study demonstrates that employees have a high trust in management competency, integrity and the working relationship and employees also have a high work engagement. However, the result of the ANOVA indicates that employees' trust in management is not associated with the work engagement of the employees. Thus, the hypothesis of the study is rejected. The high work engagement of employees can be influenced by other factors not considered in the study.

The Effect of Environmental Awareness on Work Engagement and Employment Resilience

A crucial aspect that employees must have is resilience as well as high work engagement. Employees who are actively involved and resilient in difficult situations at work will make higher contributions than employees with low resilience and engagement, who tend to be passive. Unfortunately, work engagement and resilience can also be influenced by environmental awareness. This study aims to see the influence of environmental awareness on work engagement and work resilience in employees, especially mining employees. The type of research used is quantitative research with a saturated sampling method. The population in this study amounted to 302 people. The subjects selected were mine employees—data analysis techniques using simple linear regression tests. The results showed that, individually and jointly, environmental awareness affected work engagement and work resilience in mining employees. The results of this study answer the assumption that workers experience a dilemma. Otherwise, environmental awareness still makes employees have high work engagement and resilience even though they work in mining companies.

Unlocking team excellence: The transformative power of work engagement, career commitment, and role innovation Amidst conflict

Organizations increasingly recognize the importance of work engagement and career commitment. Yet, how these factors operate within teams remains unexplored in the current literature. This study aims to uncover how conflict and innovation influence engagement and career commitment in teams. We conducted a two-wave survey involving 196 managers and 873 subordinates from Sri Lankan manufacturing firms. As expected, higher work engagement is linked to greater career commitment and role innovation. Interestingly, role innovation was more pronounced during elevated task conflict. While task conflict enhanced the connection between work engagement and role innovation, it also positively impacted career commitment. Thus, the findings confirm role innovation's mediating role between employee engagement and career commitment and reveal task and relationship conflict as moderators in this relationship. This research expands on the Broaden and Build theory by emphasizing the greater importance of task conflict intensity in teams than previously recognized. Additionally, the study highlights that low conflict levels detrimentally affect teams, offering fresh insights for managerial considerations. By enhancing our understanding of team dynamics, this study contributes to improved organizational efficiency and positive outcomes.

The Impact of Work Engagement on the Agility of the Organization's Workforce X

Digital transformation is increasingly necessary in the public sector and is a government strategy imperative. ASNs working in Organization X need to be agile to adapt to the changing environment and the current digital acceleration. Higher work engagement among employees will lead to increased motivation and improved workforce agility. This research takes a quantitative approach in the form of non-experimental methods. Regression analysis was used as the analysis technique to investigate the impact of work engagement on employee agility of ASN employees in company X. The study sampling consisted of 122 interviewees. The results indicate a significant positive correlation between work engagement and workforce agility. Further research is expected to deepen the information by interviewing relevant parties to verify and strengthen the phenomenon.