Top

Journal of Happiness Studies

Published in:

01-06-2015 | Research Paper

From Positive Orientation to Job performance: The Role of Work Engagement and Self-efficacy Beliefs

Authors: Guido Alessandri, Laura Borgogni, Wilmar B. Schaufeli, Gian Vittorio Caprara, Chiara Consiglio

Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies | Issue 3/2015

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config

AI-assisted search

Off

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the validity of a conceptual model that explains the mechanisms linking positive orientation (P-OR) to future job performance in a sample of 388 male security agents. The relationship between P-OR and job performance as rated by three supervisors, each with different responsibilities with respect to the participants, was examined via the company’s performance appraisal tool. In particular, this study investigated whether the relationship between P-OR and job performance is mediated by work engagement and moderated by levels of work self-efficacy beliefs. Results were consistent with predictions made from the conceptual model in that work engagement partially mediated the relation between P-OR and job performance. This was particularly the case when work self-efficacy beliefs were high or medium, but not when work self-efficacy beliefs were low. Likewise, P-OR exerted a residual direct effect on job performance when work self-efficacy beliefs were high or medium, but not when they were low. Overall, the findings demonstrated that work engagement and work self-efficacy beliefs refer to key mechanisms turning POS into job performance.

previous article Does Psychological Need Satisfaction Matter When Environmental or Financial Safety are at Risk?

next article Economic Freedom and Life Satisfaction: Mediation by Income per Capita and Generalized Trust

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 102.000 Bücher
über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Finance + Banking
Management + Führung
Marketing + Vertrieb
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 67.000 Bücher
über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Finance + Banking
Management + Führung
Marketing + Vertrieb
Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

In a preliminary set of analyses, the effect of several covariates (age, marital status, and job tenure) was investigated. Non-significant correlations were found among age, job tenure, and any of the major variable included in the study. Furthermore, including these variables in the moderated-mediational model did not alter the obtained results.

Aiken, L. S., & West, S. G. (1991). Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park: Sage.

Alessandri, G., Caprara, G. V., & Tisak, J. (2012a). Further explorations on the unique contribution of positive orientation to optimal functioning. European Psychologist, 17, 44–54. doi:10.1027/1016-9040/a000070.CrossRef

Alessandri, G., Caprara, G. V., & Tisak, J. (2012b). A unified latent curve, latent state-trait analysis of the developmental trajectories and correlates of positive orientation. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 47, 341–368. doi:10.1080/00273171.2012.673954.CrossRef

Alessandri, G., Vecchione, M., Tisak, J., DeIana, G., Caria S., Caprara, G.V. (2012). The utility of positive orientation in predicting job performance and organizational citizenship behaviors. Applied Psychology: An International Review. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-0597.2012.00511.x.

Anderson, K. W., & Skidmore, J. R. (1995). Empirical analysis of factors in depressive cognition: The Cognitive Triad Inventory. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51, 603–609. doi:10.1002/1097-4679(199509)51:5<603:AID-JCLP2270510504>3.0.CO;2-Z.CrossRef

Antonovsky, A. (1979). Health, stress and coping. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Bakker, A. B. (2010). Engagement and “job crafting”: Engaged employees create their own great place to work. In S. L. Albrecht (Ed.), Handbook of employee engagement: Perspectives, issues, research and practice (pp. 229–244). Glos, UK: Edward Elgar.

Bakker, A. B. (2011). An evidence-based model of work engagement. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20, 265–269. doi:10.1177/0963721411414534.CrossRef

Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2008). Towards a model of work engagement. Career Development International, 13, 209–223. doi:10.1108/13620430810870476.CrossRef

Bakker, A. B., & Leiter, M. P. (Eds.). (2010). Work engagement: A handbook of essential theory and research. New York: Psychology Press.

Bakker, A. B., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2008). Positive organizational behavior: Engaged employees in flourishing organizations. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 29, 147–154. doi:10.1002/job.515.CrossRef

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Bandura, A. (1994). Self-efficacy. In V. S. Ramachaudran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior (pp. 71–81). New York: Academic Press.

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.

Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173.CrossRef

Bebbington, P. (1985). Three cognitive theories of depression. Psychological Medicine, 15, 759–769. doi:10.1017/S0033291700004992.CrossRef

Beck, A. T. (1967). Depression: Clinical, experimental, and theoretical aspects. New York: Harper & Row.

Borgogni, L., Petitta, L., Steca, P. (2001). Efficacia personale e collettiva nei contesti organizzativi[Personal and collective self-efficacy beliefs in organizational contexts. In G.V. Caprara (a cura di), La valutazione dell’autoefficacia [Self-efficacy Assessment]. Trento, Erickson.

Brown, J. D., & Dutton, K. A. (1995). The thrill of victory, the complexity of defeat: Self-esteem and people’s emotional reactions to success and failure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68, 712–722. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.68.4.712.CrossRef

Cameron, K., & Caza, A. (2004). Contributions to the discipline of positive organizational scholarship. American Behavioral Scientist, 46, 731–739.CrossRef

Caprara, G. V., Alessandri, G., & Barbaranelli, C. (2010a). Optimal functioning: Contribution of self-efficacy beliefs to positive orientation. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 79, 328–330. doi:10.1159/000319532.CrossRef

Caprara, G., Alessandri, G., & Eisenberg, N. (2012a). Prosociality: The contribution of traits, values and self efficacy beliefs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 1289–1303. doi:10.1037/a0025626.CrossRef

Caprara, G. V., Alessandri, G., Eisenberg, N., Kupfer, A., Steca, P., Caprara, M. G., et al. (2012b). The positivity scale. Psychological Assessment, 24, 701–712. doi:10.1037/a0026681.CrossRef

Caprara, G. V., Alessandri, G., Trommsdorff, G., Heikamp, T., Yamaguchi, S., & Suzuki, F. (2012c). Positive orientation across countries. Journal of Cross Cultural Psychology, 43, 77–83. doi:10.1177/0022022111422257.CrossRef

Caprara, G. V., Fagnani, C., Alessandri, G., Steca, P., Gigantesco, A., Sforza, L. L. C., et al. (2009). Human optimal functioning: The genetics of positive orientation towards self, life, and the future. Behaviour Genetics, 39, 277–284. doi:10.1007/s10519-009-9267-y.CrossRef

Caprara, G. V., Steca, P., Alessandri, G., Abela, J. R. Z., & McWhinnie, C. M. (2010b). Positive orientation: explorations on what is common to life satisfaction, self-esteem, and optimism. Epidemiologia e psichiatria Sociale, 19, 63–71. doi:10.1017/S1121189X00001615.CrossRef

Chen, G., Casper, W. J., & Cortina, J. M. (2001). The roles of self-efficacy and task complexity in the relationships among cognitive ability, conscientiousness, and work-related performance: A meta-analytic examination. Human Performance, 14, 209–230. doi:10.1207/S15327043HUP1403_1.CrossRef

Consiglio, C., Borgogni, L., Alessandri, G., & Schaufeli, W. (2013). Does self efficacy matter for burnout and absenteeism? The mediating role of demands and resources at the individual and team levels. Work & Stress, 27(1), 22–42. doi:10.1080/02678373.2013.769325.CrossRef

DeLuga, R. J., & Mason, S. (2000). Relationship of resident assistant conscientiousness, extraversion, and positive affect with rated performance. Journal of Research in Personality, 34, 225–235. doi:10.1006/jrpe.1999.2272.CrossRef

Demerouti, E., & Cropanzano, R. (2010). From thought to action: Employee engagement and job performance. In A. B. Bakker & M. P. Leiter (Eds.), Work engagement: A handbook of essential theory and research (pp. 147–163). New York: Psychology Press.

Haaga, D. A., Dick, M. J., & Ernst, D. (1991). Empirical status of cognitive theory of depression. Psychological Bulletin, 110, 215–236. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.110.2.215.CrossRef

Hakanen, J. J., Perhoniemi, R., & Toppinen-Tanner, S. (2008). Positive gain spirals at work: From job resources to work engagement, personal initiative and work-unit innovativeness. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73, 78–91. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2008.01.003.CrossRef

Halbesleben, J. R. B., & Wheeler, A. R. (2008). The relative role of engagement and embeddedness in prediction job performance and turnover intention. Work & Stress, 22, 242–256.CrossRef

Hattie, J. (1985). Methodology review: assessing unidimensionality of tests and items. Applied Psychological Measurement, 9, 139–164. doi:10.1177/014662168500900204.CrossRef

Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44, 513–524. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.44.3.513.CrossRef

Hobfoll, S. E. (1998). Stress, culture and community. The psychology and philosophy of stress. New York: Plenum.CrossRef

Hobfoll, S. (2002). Social and psychological resources and adaptations. Review of General Psychology, 6, 302–324. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.6.4.307.CrossRef

Hobfoll, S. E., Johnson, R. J., Ennis, J. E., & Jackson, A. P. (2003). Resource loss, resources gain and emotional outcomes among inner city women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 632–643. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.84.3.632.CrossRef

Jex, S. M., & Bliese, P. D. (1999). Efficacy beliefs as a moderator of the impact of work-related stressors: A multilevel study. Journal of Applied Psychology, 84, 349–361. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.84.3.349.CrossRef

Jex, S. M., Bliese, P. D., Buzzell, S., & Primeau, J. (2001). The impact of self-efficacy on stressor–strain relations: Coping style as an explanatory mechanism. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 401–409. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.86.3.401.CrossRef

Johnson, P. O., & Neyman, J. (1936). Tests of certain linear hypotheses and their application to some educational problems. In J. Neyman & E. S. Pearson (Eds.), Statistical research memoirs (Vol. 1, pp. 57–93). Cambridge: University Press.

Judge, T. A., & Bono, J. E. (2001). Relationship of core self-evaluations traits—self-esteem, generalized self-efficacy, locus of control, and emotional stability—with job satisfaction and job performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 80–92. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.86.1.80.CrossRef

Judge, T. A., Erez, A., & Bono, J. E. (1998). The power of being positive: The relation between positive self-concept and job performance. Human Performance, 11, 167–187. doi:10.1177/0018726710371236.CrossRef

Kenny, D. A., Kashy, D., & Bolger, N. (1998). Data analysis in social psychology. In D. Gilbert, S. Fiske, & G. Lindzey (Eds.), Handbook of social psychology (4th ed., pp. 233–265). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Kluemper, D., Little, L., & DeGroot, T. (2009). State or trait: Effects of state optimism on job-related outcomes. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 30, 209–231. doi:10.1002/job.591.CrossRef

Kruger, J., & Dunning, D. (1999). Unskilled and unaware of it: How difficulties in recognizing one’s own incompetence lead to inflated self-assessments. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77(6), 1121–1134. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.77.6.1121.CrossRef

Leiter, M. P., & Bakker, A. B. (2010). Work engagement: State of the art. In A. B. Bakker & M. P. Leiter (Eds.), Work engagement: A handbook of essential theory and research. New York: Psychology Press.

Locke, E. A., McClear, K., & Knight, D. (1996). Self-esteem and work. International Review of Industrial & Organizational Psychology, 11, 1–32.

Lu, L., Chang, Y., & Lai, S. Y. (2011). What Differentiates success from strain: The moderating effects of self-efficacy. International Journal of Stress Management, 18, 396–412. doi:10.1037/a0025122.CrossRef

Luthans, F. (2002). Positive organizational behavior: Developing and managing psychological strengths. Academy of Management Executive, 16, 57–72.CrossRef

Luthans, F., Avolio, B. J., Avey, J. B., & Norman, S. M. (2007). Positive psychological capital: Measurement and relationship with performance and satisfaction. Personnel Psychology, 60, 541–572. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6570.2007.00083.x.CrossRef

Luthans, F., & Youssef, C. M. (2004). Human, social, and now positive psychological capital management: Investing in people for competitive advantage. Organizational Dynamics, 33(2), 143–160. doi:10.1016/j.orgdyn.2004.01.003.CrossRef

Macey, W. H., Schneider, B., Barbera, K., & Young, S. A. (2009). Employee engagement: Tools for analysis, practice, and competitive advantage. London, England: Blackwell.CrossRef

MacKinnon, D. P., Lockwood, C. M., Hoffman, J. M., West, S. G., & Sheets, V. (2002). A comparisons of methods to test mediation and other intervening variable effects. Psychological Methods, 7, 83–104. doi:10.1037/1082-989X.7.1.83.CrossRef

MacKinnon, D. P., Lockwood, C. M., & Williams, J. (2004). Confidence limits for the indirect effect: Distribution of products and resampling methods. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 39, 99–128. doi:10.1207/s15327906mbr3901_4.CrossRef

Martocchio, J. J., & Judge, T. A. (1997). Relationship between conscientiousness and learning in employee training: Mediating influences of self-deception and self-efficacy. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82, 764–773. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.82.5.764.CrossRef

McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T, Jr. (2008). The five-factor theory of personality. In O. P. John, R. W. Robins, & L. A. Pervin (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (3rd ed., pp. 159–181). New York: Guilford.

McIntosh, C. N., & Fischer, D. G. (2000). Beck’s cognitive triad: One versus three factors. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 32, 153–157. doi:10.1037/h0087110.CrossRef

Nelson, D., & Cooper, C. L. (Eds.). (2007). Positive organizational behavior: Accentuating the positive at work. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Oh, I. S., & Berry, C. M. (2009). The five-factor model of personality and managerial performance: Validity gains through the use of 360 degree performance ratings. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94, 1498–1513. doi:10.1037/a0017221.CrossRef

Olés, P., Alessandri, G., Olés, M., Bąk^, W., Jankowski, T., Łaguna, M. & Caprara, G. V. (2012). Positive orientation and generalized self-efficacy. Studia Psychologica, 2012.

Ouweneel, E., Le Blanc, P., Schaufeli, W. B., & Van Wijhe, C. (2012). Good morning, good day: A diary study on positive emotions, hope, and work engagement. Human Relations, 65, 1129–1154. doi:10.1177/0018726711429382.CrossRef

Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2004). SPSS and SAS procedures for estimating indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, and Computers, 36, 717–731.CrossRef

Preacher, K. J., Rucker, D. D., & Hayes, A. F. (2007). Addressing moderated mediation hypotheses: Theory, methods, and prescriptions. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 42, 185–227. doi:10.1080/00273170701341316.CrossRef

Roberts, B. W., Kuncel, N., Shiner, R. N., Caspi, A., & Goldberg, L. R. (2007). The power of personality: The comparative validity of personality traits, socio-economic status, and cognitive ability for predicting important life outcomes. Perspectives in Psychological Science, 2, 313–345. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2007.00047.x.CrossRef

Robie, C., & Ryan, A. M. (1999). Effects of nonlinearity and heteroscedasticity on the validity of conscientiousness in predicting overall job performance. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 7, 157–169. doi:10.1111/1468-2389.00115.CrossRef

Salanova, M., Peirò, J. M., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2002). Self-efficacy specificity and burnout among information technology workers: An extension of the job demands-control model. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 11, 1–25. doi:10.1080/13594320143000735.CrossRef

Salanova, M., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2008). Job resources, engagement and proactive behaviour. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 19, 116–131. doi:10.1080/014492900750000081.CrossRef

Schaubroeck, J., & Lam, S. S. K. (2002). Dispositional similarity, group homogeneity and organizational advancement in different cultures. Academy of Management Journal, 45, 1120–1136. doi:10.2307/3069428.CrossRef

Schaubroeck, J., & Merritt, D. E. (1997). Divergent effects of job control on coping with work stressors: The key role of self-efficacy. Academy of Management Journal, 40, 738–754. doi:10.2307/257061.CrossRef

Schaufeli, W. B., & Bakker, A. B. (2003). UWES—Utrecht work engagement scale: Test manual. Utrecht, The Netherlands: Department of Psychology, Utrecht University.

Schaufeli, W. B., & Bakker, A. B. (2004). Job demands, job resources and their relationship with burnout and engagement: A multi-sample study. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 25, 293–315. doi:10.1002/job.248.CrossRef

Schaufeli, W. B., Bakker, A. B., & Salanova, M. (2006). The measurement of work engagement with a short questionnaire: A cross-national study. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 66, 701–716. doi:10.1177/0013164405282471.CrossRef

Schaufeli, W. B., Martínez, I., Marques-Pinto, A., Salanova, M., & Bakker, A. B. (2002a). Burnout and engagement in university students: A cross national study. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 33, 464–481. doi:10.1177/0022022102033005003.CrossRef

Schaufeli, W. B., Salanova, M., Gonzalez-Romá, V., & Bakker, A. B. (2002b). The measurement of engagement and burnout: A confirmative analytic approach. Journal of Happiness Studies, 3, 71–92. doi:10.1023/A:1015630930326.CrossRef

Seligman, M. E. P., & Schulman, P. (1986). Explanatory style as a predictor of productivity and quitting among life insurance sales agents. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 832–838. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.50.4.832.CrossRef

Sobel, M. E. (1982). Asymptotic confidence intervals for indirect effects in structural equation models. In S. Leinhardt (Ed.), Sociological methodology (pp. 290–312). Washington, DC: American Sociological Association.

Stajkovic, A. D., & Luthans, F. (1998). Self-efficacy and work-related performance: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 124, 240–261. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.124.2.240.CrossRef

Sweetman, D., & Luthans, F. (2010). The power of positive psychology: Psychological capital and work engagement. In A. B. Bakker & M. P. Leiter (Eds.), Work engagement: A handbook of essential theory and research (pp. 54–68). New York: Psychology Press.

Turner, R. J., Taylor, J., & Van Gundy, K. (2004). Personal resources and depression in the transition to adulthood: Ethnic comparisons. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 45, 34–52. doi:10.1177/002214650404500103.CrossRef

Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 1063–1070. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063.CrossRef

Wright, T. A. (2003). Positive organizational behavior: An idea whose time has truly come. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 24, 437–442. doi:10.1002/job.197.CrossRef

Wright, T. A., & Cropanzano, R. (2000). Psychological well-being and job satisfaction as predictors of job performance. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 5, 84–94. doi:10.1037/1076-8998.5.1.84.CrossRef

Xanthopoulou, D., Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2007). The role of personal resources in the job demands-resources model. International Journal of Stress Management, 14, 121–141. doi:10.1037/1072-5245.14.2.121.CrossRef

Xanthopoulou, D., Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2009a). Reciprocal relationships between job resources, personal resources, and work engagement. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74, 235–244. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2008.11.003.CrossRef

Xanthopoulou, D., Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2009b). Work engagement and financial returns: A diary study on the role of job and personal resources. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 82, 183–200. doi:10.1348/096317908X285633.CrossRef

Youssef, C. M., & Luthans, F. (2007). Positive organizational behavior in the workplace: The impact of hope, optimism, and resiliency. Journal of Management, 33, 774–800. doi:10.1177/0149206307305562.CrossRef

Title: From Positive Orientation to Job performance: The Role of Work Engagement and Self-efficacy Beliefs
Authors: Guido Alessandri
Laura Borgogni
Wilmar B. Schaufeli
Gian Vittorio Caprara
Chiara Consiglio
Publication date: 01-06-2015
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 1389-4978
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-014-9533-4

Springer Professional

Abstract

Please log in to get access to your license.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Other articles of this Issue 3/2015

Evidence for Vicarious Hope and Vicarious Gratitude

Associations Between Women’s Body Image and Happiness: Results of the YouBeauty.com Body Image Survey (YBIS)

The Genetic Overlap and Distinctiveness of Flourishing and the Big Five Personality Traits

Family Emotional Support, Positive Psychological Capital and Job Satisfaction Among Chinese White-Collar Workers

The Changing Happiness-Enhancing Effect of a College Degree Under Higher Education Expansion: Evidence from China

Strengths Use and Life Satisfaction: A Moderated Mediation Approach