Employee engagement: understanding the construct's stability
Date
2016
Authors
Weston, James W., author
Byrne, Zinta, advisor
Fisher, Gwenith, committee member
Ganster, Daniel, committee member
Harman, Jennifer, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Research has been contradictory in the definition and measurement of employee engagement. Despite being predominantly measured as a trait-like stable construct, engagement was originally introduced as a moment-to-moment fluctuating concept. The focus of the current research is on the conceptualization of the stability of the employee engagement construct. Specifically, I examined fluctuations in engagement as they related to varying levels of three theoretical antecedents (psychological safety, psychological availability, and psychological meaningfulness). Using experience sampling, forty nine participants were asked to complete surveys on cellular devices or workplace computers, for five weeks, twice per day at random moments, for a total of 30 data-points per participant. These daily surveys assessed fluctuations in engagement levels in relation to the other contextual variables, while their accumulation over the five-week period provided insight into the relative stability of the construct. Results showed momentary job engagement was positively related to momentary stress, affect, and the quality of coworker interactions. Additionally, between-person differences in engagement were positively related to job satisfaction, general positive affect, and general job engagement. The current study provides a glimpse into within-person fluctuations in engagement. Findings suggest that although engagement may vary within-employees, between-person differences are still present and represent valuable information.