Original Research
Engagement of employees in a research organisation: A relational perspective
Submitted: 12 January 2016 | Published: 07 April 2017
About the author(s)
Doris Asiwe, Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University, South AfricaSebastiaan Rothmann, Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University, South Africa
Lene Jorgensen, WorkWell Research Unit, School of Human Resource Science, North-West University, South Africa
Carin Hill, Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Abstract
Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the associations among relational factors, psychological conditions (psychological meaningfulness, availability and safety) and work engagement and to test a structural model of work engagement.
Setting: A total of 443 individuals in an agricultural research organisation participated in a cross-sectional study.
Methods: Four scales that measured relational factors, the Psychological Conditions Scale and the Work Engagement Scale were administered. Latent variable modelling was used to test the measurement and structural models.
Results: The results confirmed a structural model in which relational facets of job design contributed to psychological meaningfulness. Emotional exhaustion (inverse) and co-worker relationships contributed to psychological availability. Supervisor relationships contributed to psychological safety. Psychological meaningfulness and psychological availability contributed to work engagement, while emotional exhaustion contributed to disengagement.
Conclusion: The relational context is an important target for intervention to affect the psychological conditions which precede work engagement. To promote work engagement, it is vital to focus on psychological meaningfulness, psychological availability and emotional exhaustion.
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Crossref Citations
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doi: 10.1016/j.bushor.2018.01.008