Work engagement and effectiveness of university professors: a comparison between before and during the Covid-19 confinement period

Luis Felipe Dias  Lopes; Deoclécio Junior Cardoso da Silva; Martiele Gonçalves Moreira; Vitor Bruno; Daniel Knebel Baggio

doi:10.5585/2025.27762

Authors

Luis Felipe Dias Lopes Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2438-0226
Deoclécio Junior Cardoso da Silva Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUC-PR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2395-2878
Martiele Gonçalves Moreira Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Sant’Ana do Livramento, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3792-2212
Vitor Bruno Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0217-6216
Daniel Knebel Baggio Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio do Sul, Ijuí, RS, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6167-2682

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5585/2025.27762

Keywords:

engagement, work effectiveness, COVID-19, higher education, university professor, organizational behavior

Abstract

Purpose - This study aimed to analyze and compare the relationship between the dimensions of work engagement and work effectiveness before and during the confinement period.

Design/methodology/approach - A quantitative study was conducted to gather primary data from a population of professors working in higher education at Brazilian universities (n = 1,147). Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling using partial least squares, along with data comparison analyses, were performed for the analysis.

Findings – The study found that, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, vigor and dedication were positively related to professors’ effectiveness, whereas absorption showed no significant relationship. During the pandemic, both dedication and absorption became significant, but vigor did not. Engagement levels increased significantly across all dimensions, although perceived effectiveness did not show a meaningful change. These results highlight a shift in the engagement-effectiveness relationship during confinement.

Originality – This study offers significant theoretical and practical contributions by comparing work engagement and effectiveness across distinct contexts. It enhances the understanding of how external disruptions, such as a pandemic, reshape academic work dynamics and emphasizes the role of dedication and absorption in sustaining effectiveness under remote conditions.

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Author Biographies

Luis Felipe Dias Lopes, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

Full Professor at UFSM and collaborator at UFSC, working in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Organizational Behavior, and Quantitative Methods. Postdoctoral fellow in Knowledge Engineering and Management (UFSC), and leader of the GPCET research group. Member of scientific committees at CAPES, CNPq, and funding agencies such as CNPq, FINEP e FAPERGS. Experienced in applied statistics, occupational health, and multivariate analysis.

Deoclécio Junior Cardoso da Silva, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUC-PR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil

PhD in Administration (UFSM), Master in Production Engineering (UFSM), and Bachelor in Business Administration (URI/Santo Ângelo). Former substitute professor at FURG and IFFar-SVS. Experienced in multi-criteria methods (Fuzzy AHP, Delphi, TOPSIS), performance evaluation, and innovation ecosystems. Member of the GPCET and VIA Knowledge Station groups, with research interests in innovation, sustainability, and science parks.

Martiele Gonçalves Moreira, Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Sant’Ana do Livramento, Brazil

PhD in Administration from UFSM, focusing on People Management and Organizational Behavior. Master's in Administration from UNIPAMPA, and researcher at GESTA (UNIPAMPA) and GPCET (UFSM). Her research interests include careers, labor relations, inequalities, public policies, and civil servants. She studies organizational behavior and behavioral health issues in the workplace context.

Vitor Bruno, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

Master in Technological Innovation (ICT-UNIFESP) and Environmental Engineer (CUFSA), he works with English teaching, instructional design, and entrepreneurship. Founder of Milestone English Course, focused on innovative learning methods. Holds Google certifications and engages in research and innovation initiatives. Acts as a mentor, platform ambassador, and collaborator in university and business association projects.

Daniel Knebel Baggio, Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio do Sul, Ijuí, RS, Brazil

PhD in Accounting and Finance from Universidad de Zaragoza (recognized by USP), currently Vice-Rector for Graduate Studies, Research, and Extension at UNIJUI and professor in the Regional Development Program. Works in finance, strategy, governance, innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Member of the GPCOM (UNIJUI), GPCET (UFSM), and Public Administration and Policy (UFGD) research groups. Experienced in quantitative methods, smart cities, and business games.

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