My meaning is my engagement: exploring the mediating role of meaning between servant leadership and work engagement

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the study is to ascertain the mediating role of meaning between servant leadership and work engagement. The study also explores the relationship between servant leadership and work engagement. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from 704 service sector employees working in Pakistan through survey design. The data analysis was done through structural equation modeling using PLS-Smart and hierarchical regression using SPSS. Findings The results revealed that servant leadership was related to meaning and work engagement. Moreover, meaning was found to be related to work engagement. Finally, meaning was found to mediate the relationship between servant leadership and work engagement. Originality/value The research has ascertained the previously unexplored mediating role of meaning between servant leadership and work engagement.