The Effect of Psychological Capital and Self-Leadership on Work Engagement among Agricultural Extension Advisors

Abstract

Work engagement is considered a significant construct  within organisations and the field of industrial  psychology. Focus within organisations has shifted to  recognise more positive psychological constructs such as  self-leadership and psychological capital to promote  employees’ work engagement. The present study  investigated the effect of psychological capital and  selfleadership on the work engagement levels of  agricultural extension advisors within South Africa. The  study was motivated by the lack of research within  agricultural extension on positive psychological  constructs such as work engagement, self-leadership,  and psychological capital, which could impact the  agricultural sector. A quantitative research method was  used to gather data using three scales. A total of 103  viable questionnaires were obtained. A Pearson  productmoment correlation analysis and stepwise  multiple regression analysis were used to address the    objective. Both psychological capital and self-leadership were found to have a significant positive correlation to  work engagement. In addition, hope, optimism, and  behaviour-focused strategies were found to have the,   most significant contribution toward the work   engagement levels of agricultural extension advisors.   Within agricultural extension, the above study provided  information on how to foster and improve the work   engagement levels of their employees using strategies   of psychological capital and work engagement.