The Influence of Personal Resources on Work Engagement Among Academics in Algeria

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of religiosity, growth mindset, and fixed mindset on work engagement among the academic staff in Algerian public universities. The study also investigated the mediating effect of positive emotions on the relationship between religiosity, growth mindset, fixed mindset, and work engagement. Finally, the role of job demand as a moderator on the effect of positive emotions on work engagement was examined. This study integrated two theories, i.e., the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, to underpin the research framework. Questionnaires were distributed to 728 academics working in six different public universities in Algeria after permission was granted by each university's management. Out of the 728 questionnaires distributed, 415 questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 57%. However, only 337 questionnaires were usable for further analysis. The direct, mediating, and moderating effects hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method. The results for the direct relationship revealed a significant effect of religiosity and growth mindset on positive
emotions and work engagement. In contrast, a fixed mindset was negatively related to positive emotions and work engagement. The results also showed that positive emotions were positively related to work engagement. Meanwhile, the findings for mediating effect showed that positive emotions mediated the relationship between religiosity, growth mindset, fixed mindset, and work engagement. Finally, the study also revealed the significant moderating effect of job demand on the relationship between positive emotions and work engagement. The present study also highlighted the implications of the research, future research recommendations, and limitations.