Work Design and Work Engagement in a Private Higher Education Institution

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5020/2318-0722.2025.31.e16618

Keywords:

Work design, Work engagement, Higher education

Abstract

Transformations in the world of work pose challenges to people management and require strategies to promote the well-being and performance of professionals. In this context, work design and engagement have become relevant constructs, since structural and relational characteristics of work directly influence how individuals engage with their activities. This study analyzed the relationships between work design (WD) and work engagement (WE) in a sample of 118 administrative staff and professor, from a private higher education institution in southern Brazil. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Work Design Scale and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale were applied. The results indicated higher levels of engagement, characterizing a group of engaged professionals. The “knowledge characteristics” dimension of the WD obtained the highest average, with the “information processing” sub-dimension standing out. Positive and significant correlations were identified between the DT dimensions (task, knowledge and social) and ET. Regression analysis indicated that the task and knowledge dimensions explained 42% of the variance in WL. Work design proved to be a resource for promoting engagement, offering support for organizational practices aimed at the sustainability of institutions and the well-being of their professionals.

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Translation

This article is a translation in English of the article:  Desenho do trabalho e engajamento em uma instituição de ensino superior privada

Author Biographies

Júlia Testa Andric, Atitus Educação, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

MA in Psychology and is a specialist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with a BA in Psychology from Atitus Educação. She has professional training in Group Dynamics from the Brazilian Society for Group Dynamics (SBDG), Internal HR Consulting from the Brazilian Association of Human Resources (ABRH), Neurocoaching from NeuroCiência Coach (NCC), and DISC Behavioral Assessment from the Instituto Mentor Coach (IMC). As Head of Careers at Atitus Educação, she focuses on the implementation and management of career development services for undergraduate students and alumni.

Lara Barros Martins, Universidade de Sevilha, Sevilha, Andaluzia, Espanha

PhD in Organizational and Work Psychology (2016) with a dual degree from Universidade de São Paulo (USP) and Universidad de Sevilla (Spain), supported by scholarships from CAPES, Grupo Tordesillas/Santander Universidades, Fundación Carolina, and the II Plan Propio de Docencia of
Universidad de Sevilla. Completed a postdoctoral fellowship (2020) at the University of Seville, Department of Social Psychology. She earned her BA (2009) and MA (2012) in Psychology from USP, with funding from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo. She is currently a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Social Psychology at Universidad de Sevilla, accredited by Agencia para la Calidad Científica y Universitaria de Andalucía and Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación.

Juliane Ruffatto, Atitus Educação, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Holds a PhD in Administration from Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos and a BA in Business Administration. She works in research and human development and serves as a faculty member in the Stricto Sensu Graduate Programs in Psychology and Administration at Atitus Educação. She is also active as a consultant, trainer, and speaker in the field of human behavior in organizational contexts.

Júlia Gonçalves, Atitus Educação, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

PhD in Organizational and Work Psychology from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), including a sandwich period at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, Spain). MA degree in Health Psychology from Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM). She is a specialist in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (WP/FACCAT) and in People Management and Marketing from Universidade Franciscana (UFN), and holds a degree in Psychology from UFN. She is a member of the Working Group on Organizational Culture and Occupational Health of the Brazilian National Association for Research and Graduate Studies in Psychology and serves on the Board of the Brazilian Association of Organizational and Work Psychology for the 2022-2024 and 2024-2026 terms.

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Published

2025-12-10

How to Cite

ANDRIC, Júlia Testa; MARTINS, Lara Barros; RUFFATTO, Juliane; GONÇALVES, Júlia. Work Design and Work Engagement in a Private Higher Education Institution. Journal of Administrative Sciences, [S. l.], v. 31, p. 1–15, 2025. DOI: 10.5020/2318-0722.2025.31.e16618. Disponível em: https://ojs.unifor.br/rca/article/view/16618. Acesso em: 30 apr. 2026.

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