Is there an inverted U‐shaped relationship between job demands and work engagement: The moderating role of social support?
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the possibility of an inverted U‐shaped relationship between job demands and work engagement, and whether social support moderates this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses 307 technical and information technology (IT) managers who responded to an online survey. Multiple regressions are employed to examine linear and curvilinear relationship among variables.
Findings
Overall, results support the applicability of the quadratic effect of job demands on employee engagement. However, only supervisor support, not colleague support, moderated the relationship between job demands and work engagement.
Originality/value
The paper is the first to shed light on the quadratic effect of job demands on work engagement. The findings have noteworthy implications for managers to design optimal job demands that increase employee engagement.
Keywords
Citation
Sawang, S. (2012), "Is there an inverted U‐shaped relationship between job demands and work engagement: The moderating role of social support?", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 33 No. 2, pp. 178-186. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437721211225426
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited