Job Crafting and Performance in Firefighters: The Role of Work Meaning and Work Engagement

Abstract

The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model was often utilized as an explanatory framework when investigating the strain process among first responders in general and firefighters in particular. Yet, little is known about the motivational processes whithin firefighters. The aim of this study is to expand the knowledge regarding the motivational process of firefighters by investigating job crafting and introducing work meaning within the motivational framework of the JD-R model, in relation to job performance. A crosssectional survey design was used to collect data from one sample consisting of Romanian firefighters (n = 1,151). Structural equation modeling indicated the existence of both a direct and an indirect effect between job crafting and job performance through work meaning and work engagement. Our findings suggest that firefighters actively engage in job crafting behaviors and also that work meaning can be an outcome of job crafting. Results also encourage further research related to the way work meaning impacts job performance, through its link with work engagement. This study raises attention on how Fire departments may be able to create a climate that emphasizes meaningfulness and engagement, together with opportunities toward job redesign and a focus process based on efficiency gain.

Job Demands and Exhaustion in Firefighters: The Moderating Role of Work Meaning. A Cross-Sectional Study

“…It is worth noting that in our sample, the moderating effect was stronger in relation to hindering job demands, such as administrative hassles and conflicting expectations in the workplace. It is possible that a strong sense of meaning enables individuals to be more engaged [ 37 , 43 , 67 , 68 ] and maintain their focus on the positive and significant aspects of their activity rather than getting stuck on various bureaucratical or procedural inconsistencies and contradictory demands. Nevertheless, our data suggest that even in the case of a military structure, which entails rigid rules, regulations, and orders, administrative hassles and conflicting expectations present significant threats to personnel performance and well-being.…”

“…Controlled group sessions could be favorable contexts for creating meaning through the flow of ideas and experiences related to various aspects of firefighters’ work and work-related experiences. For instance, our previous research [ 37 ] found that firefighters actively engage in job crafting and consequently shape the meaning that work has in their lives. In conclusion, either through organizational or psychological means, actions taken toward deriving personal significance from work and a broader sense of meaning should be addressed synergistically to aim to prevent burnout symptoms.…”

“…From this perspective, the ability to construct meaning becomes a personal resource, especially in dynamic environments such as changing organizations [ 35 ]. Studies taking different approaches to the concept of work meaning have found that it is linked to a series of positive outcomes for both the individual and the organization, such as job performance [ 4 , 36 , 37 ], organizational commitment [ 38 , 39 , 40 ], employee engagement [ 37 , 41 , 42 , 43 ], motivation [ 5 , 10 , 11 ], and well-being [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. By contrast, a poor sense of meaning in the workplace has been associated with negative outcomes, particularly employee burnout symptoms [ 12 , 38 ].…”

Job Crafting and Work Engagement: The Mediating Role of Work Meaning

“…Our findings can be contrasted with those of other studies, although to date not many have addressed this question. Dan et al [ 11 ], with a sample of 1151 firefighters, found that job crafting could influence engagement levels through the meaning attributed to the job. Furthermore, Vermooten et al [ 29 ] conducted a study with 391 participants and confirmed a model in which a proactive personality influences employees’ job crafting levels.…”

“…Given the importance of continuing research on how the meaning of work can contribute to more engaged employees and how organizations can foster meaning at work through employee characteristics [ 11 ], the main objective of this study is to increase knowledge of the relationship between job crafting and engagement, in order to test the possible effect of the meaning that people give their job and work role on this relationship.…”