Research Article
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From Self-Evaluation to Work Engagement: The Roles of Job Crafting and Work Meaningfulness

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 203 - 217
https://doi.org/10.59293/anadoluiid.1800664

Abstract

Core self-evaluation has a pivotal role in employee attitudes and behaviors and has attracted ample attention from researchers in management literature. Based on Job Demand-Resource Theory, this study aims to examine the effect of core self-evaluation on work engagement, considering the mediating roles of job crafting and work meaningfulness. Data was collected from 386 participants working in various sectors through an online survey method and analyzed via AMOS 21 and PROCESS macro for SPSS. The results showed that (1) core self-evaluation positively relates to work engagement; (2) job crafting mediates the relationship between core self-evaluation and work engagement; (3) work meaningfulness mediates the relationship between core self-evaluation and work engagement; and (4) job crafting and work meaningfulness serially mediate the impact of core self-evaluation on work engagement. The current study makes contributions to management literature by holistically examining the relationships among core self-evaluation, job crafting, work meaningfulness, and work engagement.

Ethical Statement

For this study, ethics committee permission was obtained from Gebze Technical University, Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee, with its decision dated 09/09/2024 and numbered E-164391.

Supporting Institution

None

Project Number

None

References

  • Alkhraishi, M. Y., Yesiltas, M. (2024), “The Impact of Job Crafting Dimensions on Work Engagement Among Nurses: The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital”, Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, 19(2): 75-90.
  • Bakker, A. B., Tims, M., Derks, D. (2012), “Proactive Personality and Job Performance: The Role of Job Crafting and Work Engagement”, Human Relations, 65(10): 1359–1378.
  • Bono, J. E., Judge, T. A. (2003), “Core Self‐Evaluations: A Review of the Trait and Its Role in Job Satisfaction and Job Performance”, European Journal of Personality, 17(1): 5–18.
  • Fornell, C., Larcker, D. F. (1981), “Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error”, Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1): 39–50.
  • Guo, Y., Hou, X. (2022), “The Effects of Job Crafting on Tour Leaders’ Work Engagement: The Mediating Role of Person-Job Fit and Meaningfulness of Work”, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 34(5): 1649–1667.
  • Hair, J., Black, W., Babin, B. and Anderson, R. (2010), Multivariate Data Analysis: A Global Perspective, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
  • Hayes. (2013), Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analysis: A Regression-based Approach. Guilford Publications.
  • 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(1): 80–92.
  • Judge, T. A., Erez, A., Bono, J. E., Thoresen, C. J. (2003), “The Core Self-Evaluations Scale: Development of a Measure”, Personnel Psychology, 56(2): 303–331.
  • Judge, T. A., Locke, E. A., Durham, C. C., Kluger, A. N. (1998), “Dispositional Effects on Job and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Core Evaluations”, Journal of Applied Psychology Psychological Association, Inc, 83(1): 17–34.
  • Khan, M. H., Jin, J. (2024), “If You are Different, You are Inferior: How Does Ethnocentric Behavior Disengage Employees?”, International Journal of Conflict Management, 36(1): 120-144.
  • Kim, M., Beehr, T. A. (2020), “Job Crafting Mediates How Empowering Leadership and Employees’ Core Self-Evaluations Predict Favourable and Unfavourable Outcomes”, European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 29(1): 126-139.
  • Kim, E.-J., Park, S. (2024), “Linking Work Meaningfulness, Engagement and Job Crafting to Career Commitment”, Baltic Journal of Management, 19(5): 601–621.
  • Kim, H., Tak, J. (2015), “The Effect of Leader Empowering Behavior on Work Engagement”, Korean Journal of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 28(2): 275–299.
  • Köksal, O., Şenel, Ö. (2022), “İş Biçimlendirmenin İşe Tutulma Üzerindeki Etkisinde Kişi-iş Uyumunun Aracılık Rolü”, İş ve İnsan Dergisi, 9(1): 73-86.
  • Ma, Y., Qian, Z., Zhong, L. (2022), “Influence of Core Self-Evaluations on Work Engagement: The Mediating Role of Informal Field-Based Learning and the Moderating Role of Work Design”, Sustainability, 14(9): 5319.
  • May, D. R., Gilson, R. L., Harter, L. M. (2004), “The Psychological Conditions of Meaningfulness, Safety and Availability and the Engagement of the Human Spirit at Work”, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 77(1): 11–37.
  • Meng, F., Xu, Y., Liu, Y., Zhang, G., Tong, Y., Lin, R. (2022), “Linkages between Transformational Leadership, Work Meaningfulness and Work Engagement: A Multilevel Cross-Sectional Study”, Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 15: 367–380.
  • Nair, R. S. (2020), “Core Self-Evaluation as a Predictor of Meaningful Work and Altruism: Perceived Organizational Support as a Mediator”, Journal of Organisation & Human Behaviour, 9(1/2): 1–9.
  • Nwanzu, C. L., Babalola, S. S. (2024), “Psychological Empowerment as Moderator of the Relationship between Core Self-Evaluation and Proactive Work Behaviour”, Cogent Business and Management, 11(1): 2297461.
  • Okorie, C. O., Nwankwo, F. M., Iwuala, H. O., Agudiegwu, M. O., Nnadi, S. O., Nkwede, J. O., Nwachukwu, C. K., Arua, C. C., Osuebi, K. T., Ejem, E. N., Chigbata, E. S. (2023), “Core Self-Evaluations and Job Embeddedness: Influences on Career Adaptability and Work Engagement in Nigerian Public Sector Employees”, Journal of Psychology in Africa, 33(2): 150–157.
  • Ozturk, A., Karatepe, O. M., Okumus, F. (2021), “The Effect of Servant Leadership on Hotel Employees’ Behavioral Consequences: Work Engagement versus Job Satisfaction”, International Journal of Hospitality Management, 97: 102994.
  • Panda, A., Sinha, S., Jain, N. K. (2022), “Job Meaningfulness, Employee Engagement, Supervisory Support and Job Performance: A Moderated-Mediation Analysis”, International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 71(6): 2316–2336.
  • Rosso, B. D., Dekas, K. H., Wrzesniewski, A. (2010), “On the Meaning of Work: A Theoretical Integration and Review”, Research in Organizational Behavior, 30(C): 91–127.
  • Schaufeli, W. B., Bakker, A. B., Salanova, M. (2006), “The Measurement of Work Engagement with a Short Questionnaire”, Educational and Psychological Measurement, 66(4): 701–716.
  • Schaufeli, W. B., Salanova, M., González-romá, V., Bakker, A. B. (2002), “The Measurement of Engagement and Burnout: A Two-Sample Confirmatory Factor Analytic Approach”, Journal of Happiness Studies, 3(1): 71–92.
  • Silva, V. H., Duarte, A. P., Oliveira, J. P. (2023), “How Does Authentic Leadership Boost Work Engagement? Exploring the Mediating Role of Work Meaningfulness and Work–Family Enrichment”, Administrative Sciences, 13(10): 219.
  • Slemp, G. R., Vella-Brodrick, D., Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2013), “The Job Crafting Questionnaire: A New Scale to Measure the Extent to Which Employees Engage in Job Crafting”, International Journal of Wellbeing, 3(2): 126–146.
  • 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, NY: Psychology Press, New York.
  • Tims, M., Akkermans, J. (2017), “Core Self-Evaluations and Work Engagement: Testing a Perception, Action, and Development Path”, PLOS ONE, 12(8): 0182745
  • Tisu, L., Lupșa, D., Vîrgă, D., Rusu, A. (2020), “Personality Characteristics, Job Performance and Mental Health the Mediating Role of Work Engagement”, Personality and Individual Differences, 153: 109644.
  • Ugwu, F. O., Onyishi, I. E., Ugwu, L. E., Atama, C. S., Ugwu, M. C. (2023), “Job Crafting and Boredom as Mediators of the Relationship between Occupational Self-Efficacy and Work Engagement”, IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies, 24(1): 1–21.
  • Violinda, Q., Setyorini, N., Nugraha, A. E. P., Noorzeha, F., Som, S. (2023), “The Impact of Job Crafting on Job Engagement with Meaningfulness of Work as a Mediating Variable: A Research in Indonesia and India”, Psikohumaniora: Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 8(2): 275–294.
  • Wang, F., Ding, H. (2024), “Core Self-Evaluation and Work Engagement: Employee Strengths Use as a Mediator and Role Overload as a Moderator”, Current Psychology, 43(19): 17614–17624.
  • Wang, Z., Xu, H. (2019), “When and for Whom Ethical Leadership is More Effective in Eliciting Work Meaningfulness and Positive Attitudes: The Moderating Roles of Core Self-Evaluation and Perceived Organizational Support”, Journal of Business Ethics, 156(4): 919–940.
  • Wrzesniewski, A., Dutton, J. E. (2001), “Crafting a Job: Revisioning Employees as Active Crafters of Their Work”, Academy of Management Review, 26(2): 179–201.
  • Zhang, C., Liu, L. (2021), “The Effect of Job Crafting to Job Performance”, Knowledge Management Research and Practice, 19(2): 253–262.
  • Zhang, Y., Sun, J. M., Lin, C. H., Ren, H. (2020), “Linking Core Self-Evaluation to Creativity: The Roles of Knowledge Sharing and Work Meaningfulness”, Journal of Business and Psychology, 35(2): 257–270.

Benlik Değerlendirmesinden İşe Tutkunluğa: İş Biçimlendirme ve İş Anlamlılığının Rolü

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 203 - 217
https://doi.org/10.59293/anadoluiid.1800664

Abstract

Temel benlik değerlendirmesi, çalışanların tutum ve davranışlarında çok önemli bir role sahiptir ve yönetim literatüründe araştırmacıların büyük ilgisini çekmiştir. İş Talepleri – Kaynaklar Teorisine dayanarak bu çalışma, temel benlik değerlendirmesinin işe tutkunluk üzerindeki etkisini ve bu ilişkide iş biçimlendirme ile iş anlamlılığının aracılık rollerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma kapsamında toplanan veriler, çeşitli sektörlerde çalışan 386 katılımcıdan elde edilmiş ve AMOS 21 programı ve SPSS PROCESS makrosu kullanılarak analizi edilmiştir. Bulgular, (1) temel benlik değerlendirmesinin işe tutkunlukla pozitif ilişkili olduğunu; (2) iş biçimlendirmenin, temel benlik değerlendirmesi ve işe tutkunluk arasındaki ilişkiye aracılık ettiğini; (3) iş anlamlılığının, temel benlik değerlendirmesi ve işe tutkunluk arasındaki ilişkiye aracılık ettiğini; ve (4) iş biçimlendirme ve işin anlamlılığının, temel benlik değerlendirmesinin işe tutkunluk üzerindeki etkisine seri olarak aracılık ettiğini göstermiştir. Bu çalışma, temel benlik değerlendirmesi, iş biçimlendirme, iş anlamlılığı ve işe tutkunluk arasındaki ilişkileri bütünsel olarak inceleyerek yönetim literatürüne katkı sağlamaktadır.

Project Number

None

References

  • Alkhraishi, M. Y., Yesiltas, M. (2024), “The Impact of Job Crafting Dimensions on Work Engagement Among Nurses: The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital”, Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, 19(2): 75-90.
  • Bakker, A. B., Tims, M., Derks, D. (2012), “Proactive Personality and Job Performance: The Role of Job Crafting and Work Engagement”, Human Relations, 65(10): 1359–1378.
  • Bono, J. E., Judge, T. A. (2003), “Core Self‐Evaluations: A Review of the Trait and Its Role in Job Satisfaction and Job Performance”, European Journal of Personality, 17(1): 5–18.
  • Fornell, C., Larcker, D. F. (1981), “Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error”, Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1): 39–50.
  • Guo, Y., Hou, X. (2022), “The Effects of Job Crafting on Tour Leaders’ Work Engagement: The Mediating Role of Person-Job Fit and Meaningfulness of Work”, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 34(5): 1649–1667.
  • Hair, J., Black, W., Babin, B. and Anderson, R. (2010), Multivariate Data Analysis: A Global Perspective, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
  • Hayes. (2013), Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analysis: A Regression-based Approach. Guilford Publications.
  • 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(1): 80–92.
  • Judge, T. A., Erez, A., Bono, J. E., Thoresen, C. J. (2003), “The Core Self-Evaluations Scale: Development of a Measure”, Personnel Psychology, 56(2): 303–331.
  • Judge, T. A., Locke, E. A., Durham, C. C., Kluger, A. N. (1998), “Dispositional Effects on Job and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Core Evaluations”, Journal of Applied Psychology Psychological Association, Inc, 83(1): 17–34.
  • Khan, M. H., Jin, J. (2024), “If You are Different, You are Inferior: How Does Ethnocentric Behavior Disengage Employees?”, International Journal of Conflict Management, 36(1): 120-144.
  • Kim, M., Beehr, T. A. (2020), “Job Crafting Mediates How Empowering Leadership and Employees’ Core Self-Evaluations Predict Favourable and Unfavourable Outcomes”, European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 29(1): 126-139.
  • Kim, E.-J., Park, S. (2024), “Linking Work Meaningfulness, Engagement and Job Crafting to Career Commitment”, Baltic Journal of Management, 19(5): 601–621.
  • Kim, H., Tak, J. (2015), “The Effect of Leader Empowering Behavior on Work Engagement”, Korean Journal of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 28(2): 275–299.
  • Köksal, O., Şenel, Ö. (2022), “İş Biçimlendirmenin İşe Tutulma Üzerindeki Etkisinde Kişi-iş Uyumunun Aracılık Rolü”, İş ve İnsan Dergisi, 9(1): 73-86.
  • Ma, Y., Qian, Z., Zhong, L. (2022), “Influence of Core Self-Evaluations on Work Engagement: The Mediating Role of Informal Field-Based Learning and the Moderating Role of Work Design”, Sustainability, 14(9): 5319.
  • May, D. R., Gilson, R. L., Harter, L. M. (2004), “The Psychological Conditions of Meaningfulness, Safety and Availability and the Engagement of the Human Spirit at Work”, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 77(1): 11–37.
  • Meng, F., Xu, Y., Liu, Y., Zhang, G., Tong, Y., Lin, R. (2022), “Linkages between Transformational Leadership, Work Meaningfulness and Work Engagement: A Multilevel Cross-Sectional Study”, Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 15: 367–380.
  • Nair, R. S. (2020), “Core Self-Evaluation as a Predictor of Meaningful Work and Altruism: Perceived Organizational Support as a Mediator”, Journal of Organisation & Human Behaviour, 9(1/2): 1–9.
  • Nwanzu, C. L., Babalola, S. S. (2024), “Psychological Empowerment as Moderator of the Relationship between Core Self-Evaluation and Proactive Work Behaviour”, Cogent Business and Management, 11(1): 2297461.
  • Okorie, C. O., Nwankwo, F. M., Iwuala, H. O., Agudiegwu, M. O., Nnadi, S. O., Nkwede, J. O., Nwachukwu, C. K., Arua, C. C., Osuebi, K. T., Ejem, E. N., Chigbata, E. S. (2023), “Core Self-Evaluations and Job Embeddedness: Influences on Career Adaptability and Work Engagement in Nigerian Public Sector Employees”, Journal of Psychology in Africa, 33(2): 150–157.
  • Ozturk, A., Karatepe, O. M., Okumus, F. (2021), “The Effect of Servant Leadership on Hotel Employees’ Behavioral Consequences: Work Engagement versus Job Satisfaction”, International Journal of Hospitality Management, 97: 102994.
  • Panda, A., Sinha, S., Jain, N. K. (2022), “Job Meaningfulness, Employee Engagement, Supervisory Support and Job Performance: A Moderated-Mediation Analysis”, International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 71(6): 2316–2336.
  • Rosso, B. D., Dekas, K. H., Wrzesniewski, A. (2010), “On the Meaning of Work: A Theoretical Integration and Review”, Research in Organizational Behavior, 30(C): 91–127.
  • Schaufeli, W. B., Bakker, A. B., Salanova, M. (2006), “The Measurement of Work Engagement with a Short Questionnaire”, Educational and Psychological Measurement, 66(4): 701–716.
  • Schaufeli, W. B., Salanova, M., González-romá, V., Bakker, A. B. (2002), “The Measurement of Engagement and Burnout: A Two-Sample Confirmatory Factor Analytic Approach”, Journal of Happiness Studies, 3(1): 71–92.
  • Silva, V. H., Duarte, A. P., Oliveira, J. P. (2023), “How Does Authentic Leadership Boost Work Engagement? Exploring the Mediating Role of Work Meaningfulness and Work–Family Enrichment”, Administrative Sciences, 13(10): 219.
  • Slemp, G. R., Vella-Brodrick, D., Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2013), “The Job Crafting Questionnaire: A New Scale to Measure the Extent to Which Employees Engage in Job Crafting”, International Journal of Wellbeing, 3(2): 126–146.
  • 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, NY: Psychology Press, New York.
  • Tims, M., Akkermans, J. (2017), “Core Self-Evaluations and Work Engagement: Testing a Perception, Action, and Development Path”, PLOS ONE, 12(8): 0182745
  • Tisu, L., Lupșa, D., Vîrgă, D., Rusu, A. (2020), “Personality Characteristics, Job Performance and Mental Health the Mediating Role of Work Engagement”, Personality and Individual Differences, 153: 109644.
  • Ugwu, F. O., Onyishi, I. E., Ugwu, L. E., Atama, C. S., Ugwu, M. C. (2023), “Job Crafting and Boredom as Mediators of the Relationship between Occupational Self-Efficacy and Work Engagement”, IKENGA International Journal of Institute of African Studies, 24(1): 1–21.
  • Violinda, Q., Setyorini, N., Nugraha, A. E. P., Noorzeha, F., Som, S. (2023), “The Impact of Job Crafting on Job Engagement with Meaningfulness of Work as a Mediating Variable: A Research in Indonesia and India”, Psikohumaniora: Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 8(2): 275–294.
  • Wang, F., Ding, H. (2024), “Core Self-Evaluation and Work Engagement: Employee Strengths Use as a Mediator and Role Overload as a Moderator”, Current Psychology, 43(19): 17614–17624.
  • Wang, Z., Xu, H. (2019), “When and for Whom Ethical Leadership is More Effective in Eliciting Work Meaningfulness and Positive Attitudes: The Moderating Roles of Core Self-Evaluation and Perceived Organizational Support”, Journal of Business Ethics, 156(4): 919–940.
  • Wrzesniewski, A., Dutton, J. E. (2001), “Crafting a Job: Revisioning Employees as Active Crafters of Their Work”, Academy of Management Review, 26(2): 179–201.
  • Zhang, C., Liu, L. (2021), “The Effect of Job Crafting to Job Performance”, Knowledge Management Research and Practice, 19(2): 253–262.
  • Zhang, Y., Sun, J. M., Lin, C. H., Ren, H. (2020), “Linking Core Self-Evaluation to Creativity: The Roles of Knowledge Sharing and Work Meaningfulness”, Journal of Business and Psychology, 35(2): 257–270.
There are 38 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Organisational Behaviour
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Ömer Faruk Demirel 0009-0004-8522-7040

Berivan Tatar 0000-0002-0934-3734

Meral Elçi 0000-0002-0547-0250

Project Number None
Early Pub Date October 23, 2025
Publication Date October 23, 2025
Submission Date October 10, 2025
Acceptance Date October 20, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 9 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Demirel, Ö. F., Tatar, B., & Elçi, M. (2025). From Self-Evaluation to Work Engagement: The Roles of Job Crafting and Work Meaningfulness. Anadolu İktisat Ve İşletme Dergisi, 9(2), 203-217. https://doi.org/10.59293/anadoluiid.1800664