The Meaning of Employee Engagement

  1. WILLIAM H. MACEY1,†,*,
  2. BENJAMIN SCHNEIDER2,‡

Article first published online: 29 FEB 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1754-9434.2007.0002.x

Issue

Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Volume 1, Issue 1, pages 3–30, March 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

MACEY, W. H. and SCHNEIDER, B. (2008), The Meaning of Employee Engagement. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 1: 3–30. doi: 10.1111/j.1754-9434.2007.0002.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Valtera Corporation

  2. 2

    Valtera Corporation and University of Maryland

    William H. Macey, Valtera CorporationBenjamin Schneider, Valtera Corporation and University of Maryland.

*William H. Macey. E-mail: wmacey@valtera.com Address: Valtera Corporation, 1701 Golf Road, Suite 2-1100 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 29 FEB 2008
  2. Article first published online: 29 FEB 2008

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Abstract

The meaning of employee engagement is ambiguous among both academic researchers and among practitioners who use it in conversations with clients. We show that the term is used at different times to refer to psychological states, traits, and behaviors as well as their antecedents and outcomes. Drawing on diverse relevant literatures, we offer a series of propositions about (a) psychological state engagement; (b) behavioral engagement; and (c) trait engagement. In addition, we offer propositions regarding the effects of job attributes and leadership as main effects on state and behavioral engagement and as moderators of the relationships among the 3 facets of engagement. We conclude with thoughts about the measurement of the 3 facets of engagement and potential antecedents, especially measurement via employee surveys.

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