Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2014. Includes bibliographical references (pages 213-267) The research adopted a mixed method design involving two sequential investigations.Study One was a quantitative investigation of 294 individuals from the Singapore public with working experience. Participants were asked to rate the importance of 10 personal value types using the Short Schwartz Value Survey (SSVS), and their level of work engagement using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). A structural equation quantitative analysis of these data revealed that achievement, security, self-transcendence and hedonism values relate significantly to work engagement, and the extent of these relationships is influenced by demographic characteristics of age, gender, parenthood status, marital status and education. Asecond qualitative Study Two was then conducted to further investigate how and why personal values might relate to work engagement. Semi-structured interviews of 22individuals identified the same personal values relate to work engagement. Study Two also revealed individual demographic characteristics act together with contextual factors such as Singapore’s local context and culture, and working conditions to modify the relationship.