Direct effect of personality traits and work engagement on job crafting: A structural model

Research in job crafting is relevant to creating healthier organizations and is attracting increasing attention. This study contributes to identifying the predictors of job crafting from a new conceptualization that considers three dimensions, i.e., job crafting towards strength, job crafting towards interests, and job crafting towards development. On this basis, the present study aims to explore two predictors of job crafting in the personal domain, the Big Five personality traits and Work Engagement. The study sample consists of 327 Spanish employees who completed standardized questionnaires. A Multiple Indicator Multiple Cause (MIMIC) like Structural Equational Model (SEM) was applied to the data. Results showed that job crafting towards strength was significantly and positively predicted by Work Engagement (dedication and absorption) as well as extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and intellect/imagination. Furthermore, job crafting towards interest was predicted by Work Engagement (absorption), extraversion, and intellect/imagination. Last, job crafting towards development was predicted by Work Engagement (dedication and absorption), agreeableness, conscientiousness, and intellect/imagination. Vigor and neuroticism were unrelated to job-crafting dimensions. These findings can be useful for managers and organizations looking to facilitate job crafting as a means of promoting employees' performance as well as satisfaction and well-being.