EXAMINING THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED SUPERVISORY SUPPORT IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORK ENGAGEMENT AND JOB CRAFTING AMONG IT PROFESSIONALS IN POLONNARUWA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA

Abstract

The fast-paced and high-pressure nature of the IT industry necessitates proactive workplace behaviors to maintain employee engagement and adaptability. This study investigates how work engagement influences job crafting behaviors among IT professionals in the Polonnaruwa District of Sri Lanka, with a specific focus on the mediating role of perceived supervisory support (PSS). Addressing a gap in existing literature that primarily views work engagement as an outcome variable, this research explores it as a predictor of proactive job redesign. A quantitative research design was adopted, employing a structured questionnaire distributed to a convenience sample of 300 IT professionals. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation, and mediation analysis via SPSS. The findings reveal a significant positive impact of work engagement and job crafting, while PSS partially mediates this relationship. This suggests that when employees perceive their supervisors as supportive, they are more likely to translate their engagement into proactive work behaviors. The results underscore the importance of fostering supportive leadership and enhancing employee engagement to promote job crafting. These insights contribute to the theoretical understanding of work motivation and offer practical implications for HR professionals aiming to improve job design, employee satisfaction, and retention within the dynamic IT sector.