Self-efficacy and work engagement : test of a chain model
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
International Journal of Manpower
Publication Date
2-2017
Volume
38
Issue
6
First Page
819
Last Page
834
Publisher
Emerald Publishing Limited
Keywords
Work engagement, Work-life balance, Work psychology, Human resource management, Self-efficacy, Role demands
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating roles of work and family demands and work-life balance on the relationship between self-efficacy (to regulate work and life) and work engagement. Specifically, it seeks to explain how self-efficacy influences employees’ thought patterns and emotional reactions, which in turn enable them to cope with work and family demands, and ultimately achieve work-life balance and work engagement.
Design/methodology/approach: Structural equation modelling (SEM) of survey data obtained from a heterogeneous sample of 1,010 Australian employees is used to test the hypothesised chain mediation model.
Findings: The SEM results support the hypothesised model. Self-efficacy was significantly and negatively related to work and family demands, which in turn were negatively associated with work-life balance. Work-life balance, in turn, enabled employees to be engaged in their work.
Research limitations/implications: The findings support the key tenets of social cognitive theory and conservation of resources (COR) theory and demonstrate how self-efficacy can lead to work-life balance and engagement despite the presence of role demands. Study limitations (e.g. cross-sectional research design) and future research directions are discussed.
Originality/value: This study incorporates COR theory with social cognitive theory to improve understanding of how self-efficacy enhances work-life balance and work engagement through a self-fulfilling cycle in which employees achieve what they believe they can accomplish, and in the process, build other skills and personal resources to manage work and family challenges.
DOI
10.1108/IJM-11-2015-0189
Print ISSN
01437720
E-ISSN
17586577
Funding Information
Data collection for this research was supported by the Australian Research Council Discovery Project under Grant DP0770109. {DP0770109}
Publisher Statement
Copyright © Emerald Publishing Limited 2017. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Chan, X. W., Kalliath, T., Brough, P., O’Driscoll, M., Siu, O.-L. & Timms, C. (2017). Self-efficacy and work engagement: test of a chain model. International Journal of Manpower, 38(6), 819-834. doi: 10.1108/IJM-11-2015-0189