From engaged worker to workaholic: a mediated model of athletic department employees

Abstract

Research Question: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between work engagement and workaholism in sport employees, as well as several work and individual factors, such as job flexibility and gender, that may foster or protect against workaholism. Examining these factors can progress theoretical understanding of the relationship between work engagement and workaholism, especially a potential ‘tipping point’ within high-demand vocations. It can also provide practical insight for sport managers regarding ways to help employees engage in their work without tipping over into workaholism.Research Methods: We used a structural modeling approach to examine the relationship between work engagement, workaholism, and work-family conflict. This model was tested within the context of a large, diverse sample of athletic department employees (N = 4,167).Results and Findings: Results indicated a significant, positive relationship between work engagement and workaholism. We also found that work-family conflict partially mediates this relationship, which suggests work-family conflict may deter highly engaged workers from turning into workaholics. Finally, we also found the participants’ job flexibility and participants’ gender were correlated with their reported levels of work engagement and workaholism.Implications: These findings suggest that in certain conditions engaged workers are at risk of transitioning to workaholics. It also suggests work-family conflict could act as a buffer to this transition. This study provides empirical support for a relationship previously conceptualized but untested within the business literature.

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