Examining the Impact of Employee Core Self-evaluations and Organisational Trust on Work Engagement

This study examines the impact of core self-evaluations (CSE) and organisational trust on work engagement through the intervening steps of employee pro-social voice and defensive silence during periods of financial and economic crisis. The research analysis is based on a sample of 1178 Greek employees working in 139 public and private organisations, which operate in the present context of the economic crisis. Data was obtained from multiple actors (senior managers, middle managers and employees). Using a comprehensive framework, the findings of the structural equation modelling suggest that the impact of personality on work engagement through employee pro-social voice and defensive silence is approximately equal to that of organisational trust, whilst the overall impact of organisational trust on work engagement is much stronger compared to that of personality. Furthermore, the study traces the dimensions of employee pro-social voice and defensive silence that have the most impact on work engagement in a labour context where unemployment is very high. Based on these findings, which underline the meaning of pro-social voice and defensive silence in turbulent times, the study has several theoretical and practical implications.