du Plessis, MarietaBoshoff, Adre B.2018-10-222018-10-222018Du Plessis, M. & Boshoff, A.B. (2018). The role of psychological capital in the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. SA Journal of Human Resource Management/SA Tydskrif vir Menslikehulpbronbestuur, 16(0): a1007.1683-7584https://doi. org/10.4102/sajhrm. v16i0.1007http://hdl.handle.net/10566/4145ORIENTATION: The focus on positive psychology in the workplace includes interest in engagement of employees and the conditions and/or characteristics that explain variance in engagement levels. RESEARCH PURPOSE: Psychological capital (PsyCap) can be used as a substitute or enhancer for leadership in the development of work engagement in cases where the individual has a high level of PsyCap. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: With work engagement becoming increasingly critical to the competitiveness of today’s organisations, there is a need to better understand the role of leadership and psychological strengths that support work engagement among employees. Research approach/design and method: In the quantitative study (on the responses of 647 managers from a national private healthcare organisation), the mediating and moderating role of psychological capital (PsyCap) on the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement was tested. MAIN FINDINGS: Psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. Similarly, PsyCap was also a moderator of the relationship, although the main effects remained significant. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: Organisations and leaders should focus on developing a high level of PsyCap within their followers in order to retain high levels of work engagement. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: The role of PsyCap in the leadership–engagement relationship indicates that individuals can draw from their PsyCap to improve work engagement.en© 2018. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.Positive psychologyWorkplaceEngagement of employeesPsychological capital (PsyCap)Article