ABSTRACT

Work engagement is a broad concept, comprising a variety of multidimensional constructs and experiences, including affects, cognitions, and behaviors. The concept of work engagement has also been characterized by using a variety of time perspectives ranging from trait concepts (comprising stable positive views of life and work), to state and state-like concepts (e.g., feelings of energy or absorption; e.g., Schaufeli & Bakker, 2004; Macey & Schneider, 2008). In the following, we will delineate how, in our view, state work engagement (SWE) is best conceptualized. We will do so by briefly reviewing different conceptualizations of SWE and different perspectives on time-related issues. Afterwards, we

continue our introduction by explaining why a state perspective of engagement is important and by summarizing existing evidence that supports such a state perspective. In subsequent sections, we will address methodological issues that pertain to the study of state engagement, and we will summarize existing evidence from diary studies in order to finally come up with a comprehensive model of state work engagement, its potential antecedents, and its consequences.