Abstract
This study aimed to determine whether various generational cohorts experience differences in constructive deviance and work engagement. Constructive deviant behaviour is beneficial for companies in producing development opportunities that may otherwise not have been identified. Individuals from different age groups may constructively deviate in different ways due to them having different views and working styles that fit their age group. As work engagement has demonstrated to yield constructive organisational results, researching predictors that promote work engagement is of benefit to the individual and organisation alike. A quantitative correlational research design was used to address the study’s aim. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to select employees from various organisations in Gauteng (South Africa), n = 817 participants. Data was collected via surveys, which included demographics, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), and Galperin's (2002) constructive deviance scale. Pearson’s correlation was used to test the formulated hypotheses, followed by the moderated multiple regression analyses. Correlation analysis showed that age is significantly related to all work engagement factors; however, age is not significantly related to constructive deviant behaviour. Findings demonstrated that age did not have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between constructive deviant behaviour and work engagement. This suggests that the relationship between work engagement and constructive deviance does not vary according to age, and employees from all ages may have similar experiences relating to constructively deviant behaviour and work engagement. Future research is recommended on individual and organisational level variables for constructive deviant behaviour for South African organisations.
Keywords: work engagement, constructive deviant behaviour, generational cohorts, moderation.