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Purpose The study has made an effort to investigate how handloom weavers' work engagement is affected by the benefits of the comprehensive handloom cluster development scheme (CHCDS). The program primarily focuses on work-related issues, including improved technical infrastructure, skill upgradation to deliver higher-quality products and market development to improve remuneration. The purpose of this research is to determine whether the scheme's work-related support is associated with employee engagement. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey design was implemented on a sample size of 335 individual handloom weavers. The benefits of CHCDS (BoS) were measured using exploratory factor analysis on SPSS 25 and validated using confirmatory factor analysis. Structural equation modelling on the Amos 22 platform was used to evaluate the effect of the scheme on work engagement. Findings The results indicated a significant positive association between work engagement and the BoS, with R2 value of 0.35 at a significance level of p 0.001. Research limitations/implications The study adds to the multidimensional approach of work engagement given by Saks (2006) by contextualising it into one of the Indigenous sectors, like the handloom. The study also finds applicability in labour economics. Practical implications The findings point to market development and skill upgradation as the benefit dimensions most strongly associated with engagement. Policymakers can prioritise these components. Originality/value This study offers a contextual contribution by being the first to empirically examine the association between the benefits of a scheme and work engagement. The originality lies in the application and extension of established frameworks – the job demands-resources model and Saks's (2006) to an underrepresented sector.
Sushmita Singh (Thu,) studied this question.