Economic Strain and Cultural Cognition: A Cross-Country Examination of Employee Engagement

This research explores the cognitive and cultural factors that influence employees’ experiences of economic strain and engagement across two studies. Using Social Comparison Theory and Scarcity Theory, we examine how cognitions related to work ethic, going without basic necessities, and well-being influence employee engagement. In Study 1, we investigate the impact of work ethic on economic strain through going without. We find support for the direct effects of work ethic on economic strain, particularly in masculine and individualistic societies. In Study 2, we investigate the impact of economic strain on engagement through well-being. We find support for the indirect effect of economic strain on employee engagement through well-being, particularly in masculine societies, whose cognitive patterns reinforce an emphasis on achievement and material possessions. Our findings have implications for our understanding of how employees’ personal circumstances can undermine their work outcomes. Moreover, our findings highlight the importance of considering culture in exploring these dynamics.