Facets of job satisfaction and work engagement

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the facets of job satisfaction and the work engagement. Previous studies that focus on the linkages between work engagement and overall job satisfaction ignore the multi-faceted nature of job satisfaction construct. In this study, how job satisfaction facets are linked to three dimensions of work engagement – i.e. vigor, dedication and absorption – is discussed by drawing on the social exchange theory.

The cross-lagged data used in this study come from the specialist lending division of a UK bank. The linear multiple regression analyses are run to test the proposed theoretical model.

The results show that among all the job satisfaction facets, the “satisfaction with work itself” is the key driver of all dimensions of work engagement, i.e. vigor, dedication and absorption. The “satisfaction with conditions” is negatively linked to absorption of employees in their work. This means that the employees with high workload might not be absorbed in their work. Finally, it is found that employees who are satisfied with the communication in their work are also absorbed in their work.

This study contributes to our knowledge of the drivers of work engagement over time. The facets of job satisfaction as the drivers help us to have a comprehensive understanding of the link between the job satisfaction facets and work engagement. This study first contributes to the work engagement literature which has neglected the multi-dimensional approach of job satisfaction. This study also contributes to the limited number of work engagement studies conducted in service sector and in UK.