Does age affect job and organisational engagement and employee performance in Zimbabwe’s health sector?

Orientation: The ageing healthcare workforce has been an issue of concern in the health sector over the recent years. This unique demographic challenge poses numerous challenges like knowledge loss and possible skill shortages. Research purpose: This analysis seeks to examine the association between job engagement (JE), organisational engagement (OE) and employee performance (EP) of healthcare workers in Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe. Further, it assesses the moderating role of age on the association between JE and EP and OE and EP. Motivation for the study: There is restricted research on the relationship between JE, OE and EP, as well as on the moderating role of age on the association between JE and EP and OE and EP of healthcare workers. Research approach/design and method: The study’s approach is quantitative. Employing the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-17, Job and Organisation Scales and Individual Work Performance Questionnaire, the data were collected from 235 healthcare workers. Structural equation modelling was implemented to examine the relationships of interest. Main findings: Job engagement positively impacts OE, and JE positively influences EP. The positive impact of OE on EP is insignificant. Age has an insignificant moderating effect on the relationship between JE and EP and OE and EP. Practical/managerial implications: Healthcare institutions and policymakers should enforce robust intervention strategies that support JE, OE and EP. Contribution/value-add: This research immensely contributes to the existing literature on the relationship between JE, OE and EP.