ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the role of the self in relation to engagement. It introduces the various streams of research that laid the foundation for engagement studies. The chapter also discusses predictors of engagement. It addresses the role of the self for engagement at work. The chapter presents differentiation between Kahn’s approach that conceives self-employment and self-expression as essential aspects of engagement, and the well-being approach that specifies self-related concepts as predictors of engagement. It deals with engagement from a self-perspective and highlight important questions for future research. The engagement conceptualization of Schaufeli et al., Bakker et al., and their colleagues has its roots in burnout research as well. Engagement conceptualizations that have their roots in well-being research have focused on other types of predictors. Research that has linked social-identity processes to work engagement are based on the following premise: Social identification with the organization implies that the employee experiences a strong connection with the organization.