Original Research

A psychometric evaluation of the 17 itemed Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17) in Uganda

Ibrahim A. Musenze, Thomas S. Mayende
African Journal of Psychological Assessment | Vol 2 | a8 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajopa.v2i0.8 | © 2020 Ibrahim Abaasi Musenze, Thomas Sifuna Mayende | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 17 December 2018 | Published: 29 January 2020

About the author(s)

Ibrahim A. Musenze, Department of Economics and Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Busitema University, Tororo, Uganda
Thomas S. Mayende, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Business, ICT University, Iganga, Uganda

Abstract

Purpose - This study aimed at the establishment of the psychometric properties of the UWES-17 itemed factorial structure.  This was done by examining the similarities and differences in  terms of model fit of the tri-factor model to a one-factor model.  

Design/methodology/approach - Using a cross-sectional design, confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the 17-item uni-dimensional and the 17-item tri-factor UWES respectively on a sample of 323 Education Assistants (professional teachers) in Uganda. 

Findings - The study confirmed an 11 item tri-factor UWES-Ug as a reliable and parsimonious factor structure within this cohort.

Research limitations/implications - The sample was restricted to teachers and this limits the generalisability of the findings.

Practical implications - On account of these results, the study sample evidently attests to the fact that work engagement is best represented as a tri-factor construct in Ugandan context.  This study contributes to theory by confirmation of the three-factor structure of work engagement in developing countries through use of perceptual data from a Ugandan sample. 

Originality/value - This is a pioneer empirical study that validates the UWES 17 itemed scale in Uganda.

Keywords

UWES-Ug; UWES-17; Psychometric Evaluation; Work Engagement; Uganda

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Crossref Citations

1. A study of job satisfaction and work engagement at the National Treasury of South Africa
Refiloe L. Thokoa, Vinessa Naidoo, Tessie H.H. Herbst
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doi: 10.4102/sajhrm.v19i0.1557