Work engagement as measured by the UWES is positively related with, but can nevertheless be differentiated from, similar constructs such as job involvement and organizational commitment, in-role and extra-role behavior; personal initiative, Type A, and workaholism. Moreover, engaged workers are characterized by low levels of burnout, as well as by low levels of neuroticism and high levels of extraversion. Also they enjoy good mental and physical health.
Generally, work engagement is conceptualized as a relatively stable phenomenon. This can be explained by the presence of specific job and organizational characteristics. However, engagement is not a fixed state: the level of engagement can even fluctuate on a weekly or day-to-day basis. Increasingly, attention is being paid to these short-term fluctuations by conducting experience sampling studies and diary studies.
Christian, Garza, and Slaughter (2011) meta-analyzed over 90 engagement research studies. They found that engagement is distinct from job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and job involvement.
The three aspects of work engagement (vigor, dedication and absorption) are assessed by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), which is currently available in 20 languages and can be used freely for non-commercial purposes. In addition a short form and a student version are available. The reliability and validity of the UWES is documented is various studies.
The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) is an alternative instrument for the assessment of work engagement. It consists of two dimensions: exhaustion-vigor and cynicism-dedication.
For an overall model of work engagement, see Bakker & Demerouti (2008).
There are several possible reasons why engaged employees show higher performance than non-engaged employees:
There is also a possibility of becoming 'over-engaged'. For example, it can distort the work-life balance when employees take work home. Over-engagement may also lead to workaholism.
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