Original Research Job crafting, flow, and job performance: A mediational analysis

Boitumelo W. Makhubele, Sergio L. Peral, Crystal Hoole, Brandon Morgan

About the author(s) Boitumelo W. Makhubele, Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Sergio L. Peral, Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Crystal Hoole, Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Brandon Morgan, Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

Orientation: This study investigated the indirect effect of work-related flow on the relationship between job crafting and in-role job performance.

Research purpose: To determine whether job crafting as a job redesign approach is helpful for employees’ experience of work and job performance.

Motivation for the study: Most research has focused on the direct relationship between job crafting and performance or engagement as a mediator of this relationship. We propose work-related flow as an alternative explanation to engagement for the relationship between job crafting and performance.

Research approach/design and method: We used a cross-sectional research design. A sample of South African working adults (n = 256) completed the Job Crafting Questionnaire, Work-Related Flow Inventory and Job Performance Scale. We used structural equation modelling to investigate the indirect relationship.

Main findings: Work-related flow mediates the relationship between job crafting and performance. A negative relationship exists between job crafting and performance after controlling for work-related flow.

Practical/managerial implications: The results suggest that job crafting increases work-related flow. Work-related flow, in turn, is related to improved job performance. Therefore, employees might consider implementing job crafting as an accessible strategy to improve their job performance.

Contribution/value-add: This study supports our hypotheses that work-related flow mediates the relationship between job crafting and performance. Future research should investigate whether this indirect relationship adds incremental validity to work engagement.

job crafting; work-related flow; job performance; proactive work behaviour; engagement.

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