Abstract
Orientation
This study is oriented toward exploring authentic leadership and the influence thereof on individual work performance as well as work engagement. To wit, it considers the mediating mechanism of work engagement in the association between authentic leadership and individual work performance. In doing so, the research reported on seeks to address a lacuna in existing literature pertaining to leadership.
Research purpose
The study is intended to provide insight into the link between authentic leadership, work engagement, and employee work performance. Per se, the research reported on seeks to examine how (i) authentic leadership effects individual work performance; (ii) authentic leadership impacts work engagement; (iii) work engagement influences individual work performance; and (iv) work engagement mediates the nexus between authentic leadership and individual work performance.
Motivation for the study
A paucity of scholarly research underscores authentic leadership and the effect thereof on work engagement as well as employee work performance, both globally and more specifically within the South African work context. Understanding how effective leadership styles impact work engagement and employee work performance is critical in improving employee and organisational outcomes. Furthermore, a lacuna of empirical studies has investigated work engagement as a mediator in the association between the latent variables nationally and therefore requires further exploration.
Research design
The research followed a quantitative, cross-sectional design and was operationalised through the administration of questionnaires to n = 229 employees in South African business organisations. Empirical data were obtained using a questionnaire incorporating scales for, inter alia, authentic leadership and work engagement, along with items measuring individual work performance. Data was scrutinised by means of descriptive and inferential statistical tests. More specifically, multiple regression analysis was performed to find out the direct effect of the measured variables, while mediation analysis was computed to determine the indirect mediating mechanism of work engagement.