Objective: The aim of this research was to elaborate upon the motivational process hypothesized by the JD-R model. We tested the associations of job autonomy, social support, and feedback with intrinsic and identified motivation as mediators of work engagement.
Methods: Structural equation modeling was performed to verify the conceptual model.
Results: The results showed that job autonomy and social support were related to work engagement through their relationship with intrinsic and identified motivation. There was also a direct relationship between job autonomy and work engagement. The relationship between feedback and work engagement was weak and was not mediated by intrinsic and identified motivation.
Conclusion: The results extend the understanding of how job resources relate to work engagement through intrinsic and identified motivation. It was also shown that in the outsourcing sector on which the study was conducted, job autonomy and social support have to be taken into account when designing work engagement interventions.