DO THE MOTIVATIONAL REGULATION PREDICT WORK ENGAGEMENT? A STUDY ON CHILEAN ENTREPRENEURS

Abstract

Entrepreneurs’ intrapersonal abilities are essential to address the inherent challenges involved in initiating and developing a business. Motivation and motivational regulation are highly relevant intrapersonal skills due to their influence on sustaining effort and maintaining focus when facing complex challenges and problems. The aim of the present study was to examine the predictive value of Motivational Regulation Strategies and the level of Motivational Regulation in relation to Work Engagement and its subfactors. In addition, the psychometric properties of the instruments were assessed using a sample of Chilean entrepreneurs. The study followed a quantitative-predictive approach and employed a convenience sample of 408 Chilean entrepreneurs. Participants completed a self-report instrument composed of the Brief Regulation of Motivation Scale, the Motivational Regulation Strategies Scale, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, all adapted to the Chilean entrepreneurial context. The instruments demonstrated adequate psychometric properties. The results indicated that the level of Motivational Regulation significantly predicts Work Engagement. However, only some Motivational Regulation Strategies were found to predict Work Engagement, and similar findings emerged when analyzing its subfactors. These results highlight the importance of differentiating between types of strategies when analyzing the relationship between Motivational Regulation and Work Engagement. Consistent with findings in educational contexts, the effectiveness of specific strategies appears to depend on the characteristics of both the population and the task.