Explaining antecedents of work engagement using mixed method research design

Work engagement literature has been dominated by quantitative research methods. This article aims to study work engagement antecedents using mixed-method sequential explanatory design. This design starts with the collection and analysis of quantitative data followed by the subsequent collection and analysis of qualitative data. The qualitative phase of the study was designed to incorporate the outcomes of the first quantitative phase. Research variables were identified and presented in a conceptual model from literature review. Data was collected by questionnaire from 358 employees of a holding company comprised of seven industrial firms. Research conceptual model was tested by statistical techniques and structural equation modeling. In order to gain deep understanding and explaining results of quantitative results, 18 in-depth interviews were also conducted. Finally, combining quantitative results with qualitative findings led to better understanding and deepening the research results. Results and findings showed job autonomy, social support, supervisory coaching, performance feedback, learning and development opportunities, job characteristics, organizational justice, job-person fit, recognition, participation, supervisors; support and competency and coworker support were among job resources that had an impact on work engagement. It was further noticed that; commitment, resiliency, self-efficacy, conscientiousness, professionalism, proactive personality all have impact on work engagement.