The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of the relationship betweentransformational leadership, meaningful work and workplace engagement. Although there isconsensus that better engaged employees help organizations to perform better, industry reportsindicate that only one fifth of employees are engaged in their work. While there is some evidence inthe literature to suggest a link between transformational leadership factors such as idealizedinfluence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration, and thecomponents of workplace engagement such as vigor, dedication and absorption, little is known aboutthe nature of this relationship. This paper proposes a conceptual framework supporting an indirectrelationship between transformational leadership and followers workplace engagement, arelationship mediated by followers perceptions of meaningful work. The paper provides insights into enhancing followers workplace engagement via transformational leaders through their ability tocreate meaningful work. The proposed conceptual framework has implications for researchersexamining the link between transformational leadership and work engagement, and for organizationskeen to improve employee engagement levels through by leaders.
History
Citation
Ghadi, M., Fernando, M. & Caputi, P. (2010). Transformational leadership, workplace engagement and the mediating influence of meaningful work: Building a conceptual framework. Australian New Zealand Academy of Management Annual Conference (pp. 1-15). Adelaide: ANZAM.
Parent title
Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference