Abstract

Purpose:

This study aimed to determine the impact of job stressors like workload, work-life conflict, and safety hazards on work engagement while testing Islamic work ethics as a moderator on the relationship.

Methodology:

A time-lagged questionnaire survey method was employed to collect data. In total 319 responses were collected from medical practitioners working in different organizations under the Health Department Punjab of Pakistan.

Finding:

The results reveal that job stressors, including workload, work-life conflict, and safety hazards reduce work engagement whereas, Islamic work ethics moderates the negative effects of workload and work-life conflict in such a way that the negative relationship between workload and work-life conflict with work engagement is mitigated when the Islamic work ethic is high. However, support is not found for the moderating effect of Islamic work ethics on safety hazards to work engagement relationship.

Significance:

This research contributes to the extant literature on work engagement of healthcare by unpacking the ways in which issues pertaining to excessive workload, work-life conflict, and safety hazards hamper work engagement. The research also highlights the optimizing role of Islamic work ethics to buffer the negative influence in this regard.

Limitations:

The survey researches are susceptible to social desirability bias. The authors took utmost measures in this regard. However, results may be generalized cautiously. Secondly, results are based on time-lagged analysis. Job-related attitudes and perceptions are time-sensitive phenomena; hence, longitudinal research design may present a clear picture.

Practical and Social Implications:

Managers and administrators may strive to offer optimal workload, provide necessary safety measures and create a work-to-family balance for consistent work engagement of medical practitioners. Hiring and development policies may be established to optimize Islamic work ethics.

KAUJIE Classification:

N2, P0, P2

JEL Classification:

M12, M19, I12, J28

Keywords

Despotic Leader, IWE, Job Performance, Vigor, Pakistan.