Unlocking Workplace Dynamo: The Impact of Internal Trust and Communication on Igniting Work Engagement

Research Question: This study delves into the intricate relationships among internal communication, internal trust, and work engagement within the context of a developing business environment undergoing cultural and economic transition. Motivation: The fundamental research inquiries seek to ascertain the interconnections between the studied phenomena and elucidate the nature of these relationships. Work engagement, identified through previous research and contemporary business practices, emerges as a pivotal force with profound implications for motivation, management, and personal development within organizations. Idea: The introduction sets the stage by emphasizing the study's focus on relationships in a transitioning business environment. Subsequent sections meticulously articulate research objectives, explore the existing literature, pose research questions, and delineate the chosen methodology, elucidating the importance of standardized instruments and the rationale behind the selection of the Serbian organizational context. Results are presented with a focus on the identified correlations, leading to the formulation of two models. The subsequent discussion critically compares these models, offering insights into the implications of trust-determined communication on work engagement. Limitations are candidly acknowledged, underscoring the need for interpretative caution. Data: The research methodology predominantly employs a quantitative approach to unravel the complexities inherent in internal communication, internal trust, and work engagement. The study encompasses a substantial sample size, consisting of 708 respondents representing 16 working organizations in Serbia. Tools: To gauge these phenomena, standardized instruments such as Internal Trust, a shortened version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and the Internal Communication Scale were employed. The anticipated results unveil robust correlations among the elements under scrutiny. Findings: The findings culminate in the proposition of two models, with structural equation modelling revealing a model where trust determines communication, subsequently influencing work engagement as the more fitting representation. This model presents a nuanced understanding of the intricate dynamics within organizational frameworks. Contribution: Despite acknowledging certain limitations in the study, the research underscores its importance in the quest for the most influential factors contributing to work engagement in organizations. The research serves as a valuable contribution to the broader discourse on organizational behaviuor, shedding light on crucial factors that influence employee engagement in evolving business landscapes.