A cross-national study of work engagement as a mediator between job resources and proactive behaviour

Abstract

This study investigates the mediating role of work engagement (i.e. vigour and dedication) among job resources (i.e. job control, feedback and variety) and proactive behaviour at work. This mediating role was investigated, using Structural Equation Modelling in two independent samples from Spain (n = 386 technology employees) and the Netherlands (n = 338 telecom managers). Results in both samples confirmed that work engagement fully mediates the impact of job resources on proactive behaviour. Subsequent multigroup analyses revealed that the strengths of the structural paths of the mediation model were invariant across both national samples, underscoring the cross-national validity of the model

Keywords:

• job resources; work engagement
• proactive behaviour
• cross-national study

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Willem van Rhenen, MD, for his involvement in the Dutch part of the study and for providing us with the data from the telecom managers.

This research is supported by a grant from Jaume I University (Castellón, Spain) and Bancaixa Foundation (P1B98-10), and the Ministry of Science and Technology (#SEJ2004-02755/PSIC).