Work engagement amongst academics in Jordan

This study examined the direct relationship between workload, work pressure, autonomy, social support, performance feedback and work engagement. The study also investigated the mediating effect of job satisfaction on the relationship between workload, work pressure, autonomy, social support, performance feedback and work engagement. Finally, the study examined the moderating effect of trust on the relationship between job satisfaction and work engagement. A total of 700 questionnaires were personally distributed to respondents from four universities in Jordan (Mu’tah University, The
University of Jordan, The Hashemite University and Yarmouk University) after permission was granted by the university management. Out of the 700 questionnaires distributed, 567 questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 81%. However, only 532 questionnaires were usable for further analysis. The hypotheses for direct and mediating effect were tested using multiple regression analyses, and the hypotheses for interacting effect were tested using hierarchical multiple regression. The results for direct relationship showed that workload and work pressure were negatively related to work engagement and job satisfaction, while, autonomy, social support and performance feedback were positively related to work engagement and job satisfaction. The results also showed that job satisfaction was positively related to work engagement.
Meanwhile, the findings for mediating effect showed that job satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between workload, work pressure, autonomy, social support, performance feedback and work engagement. Furthermore,the results from hierarchical multiple regressions showed that trust quasi moderated the relationship between job satisfaction and work engagement. The research results reported in this study suggest the need for autonomy, social support and performance feedback to enhance academics’ work engagement and satisfaction, whereas, too much workload and work pressure will decrease academic’s work engagement and satisfaction. Apart from that, the university management also need to consider the role of job satisfaction and trust when planning for enhancing academics’ work engagement.