Engagement Intent: Role Theory Perspectives for Balancing Individual and Firm-Level Engagement Outcomes

Abstract

The topic of employee engagement has received tremendous attention. With this large body of work has come numerous definitions, varied measurement systems and diverse employee-based interventions designed to improve engagement. In this article, we suggest that a variant on this work, employee engagement intent, can provide a useful framework for research and practice. Through a review of the evolution of employee engagement, we utilize two unique concepts that have emerged over time. One is that employee engagement is about the individual employee bringing more of himself or herself to work, and the second is that engagement initiatives are focused on encouraging employees to engage in behaviors that go above and beyond the core job at work. To help unify these two concepts and provide a theoretical basis for studying intent, we tap into role theory and specifically five roles at work. Intent is defined as the degree to which employees engage in non–core job roles to bring more of themselves to work (for personal interest) while also helping meet company-specific objectives. We use the model of engagement intent to suggest specific interventions that should help organizations interested in improving individual and business performance through intentional engagement programs.