Meaning gain spiral: need for sense-making promotes work engagement through searching and finding meaning at work. Results from a four-wave longitudinal study

Purpose This research tested a novel concept of the meaning gain spiral at work. Expanding conservation of resources (COR) theory, we examined whether individual differences in the need for sense-making (NSM) promote a meaning gain spiral that enhances work engagement through the processes of searching for work meaning and finding work meaningful. Design/methodology/approach A four-wave longitudinal study was conducted with a sample of 371 employees to test the proposed model. Findings Our results indicate that NSM triggers a gain spiral by increasing the search for meaning at work, which, in turn, leads to finding work meaningful and ultimately boosts work engagement. Originality/value This study advances COR theory to meaning-making processes in the workplace and refines theoretical perspectives on the antecedents and mechanisms of work engagement. Understanding how individuals' NSM relates to their work engagement offers valuable insights for organizational strategies. This knowledge can help organizations better provide resources that support employee sense-making and engagement.