ABSTRACT
Everyday connotations of engagement refer to involvement, commitment, passion, enthusiasm, absorption, focused effort, zeal, dedication, and energy. In a similar vein, the Merriam-Webster dictionary describes the state of being engaged as ‘emotional involvement or commitment’ and as ‘being in gear’. This chapter focuses on engagement at work, a desirable condition for employees as well as for the organization they work for. Although typically, ‘employee engagement’ and ‘work engagement’ are used interchangeably, this chapter prefers the latter because it is more specific. Work engagement refers to the relationship of the employee with his or her work, whereas employee engagement may also include the relationship with the organization. As we will see below, by including the relationship with the organization, the distinction between engagement and traditional concepts such as organizational commitment and extra-role behavior becomes blurred.
