The dimensionality of the Work Related Flow Inventory (WOLF): a South African study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to validate and explore the factor structure of the Work-Related Flow Inventory (WOLF) as a measure of flow within the South African work context. The sample consisted of N = 415 employees from various organisations in South Africa (females = 56.8%, White = 67.8%, single = 46%, English = 34.6%, 18 to 30 = 76.4% and various types of industries and positions). They completed the Work Related Flow Inventory (WOLF), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and the Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) revealed that the WOLF has three dimensions, consisting of absorption, work enjoyment and intrinsic work motivation that fit the data best. The findings further suggest that absorption and work enjoyment relates to work engagement. Convergent validity evidence indicated work absorption, work enjoyment and intrinsic motivation to correlate with both work engagement and job satisfaction in a South African working context. Work enjoyment had the strongest link with job satisfaction.