Definitions of Employee Engagement
Employee engagement has been defined in various ways over the
years depending on the author. The enthusiasm for work which makes an employee
to get involved and satisfy with work can be defined as employee
engagement (Harter et al., 2002). When an employee demonstrates a positive,
accomplished working mindset which can be characterized by dedication and
absorption can be considered as an engaged employee (Kuok & Taormina,
2017). The positive attitude of an employee towards the organization and its
value is considered as employee engagement an engaged employee would be aware
of the business affairs and maximize performances for the betterment of the
organization (Hettiararchchi & Jayarathna, 2014).
Engaged performance of an employee can be achieved when the
ardor for the work is stimulated resulting organizational success (Singh
& James, 2016). Further, the extent to which employees put discretionary
effort in to their work, in the form of extra time, brain power or energy is
defined as employee engagement (Towers Perrin, 2003).
Dimensions of Employee Engagement
In any organization, the work force comprises of four types of
employees; highly engaged, moderately engaged, passively engaged and actively
disengaged (Wildermuth & Pauken, 2008). In a highly engaged
environment employees are totally engaged whereas in a moderately engaged
environment employees are nearly engaged, in a passively engaged environment
the employees are nearly engaged as well as nearly disengaged and and finally
actively disengaged employees are the ones who are totally
disengaged (Chandani et al., 2016).
There are three different facets of engagement as intellectual
engagement, effective engagement and social engagement (Singh & James,
2016). Intellectual engagement is the employee thinking positively and hard
about the work assigned and how could perform better (Shuck & Wollard,
2010). Effective engagement is thinking positively about carrying out a perfect
job (Dalal, Brummel, Wee, & Thomas, 2008) and Social engagement
is actively discussing with the others at work with regard to related
improvements (Singh & James, 2016).
Factors Enhancing Employee Engagement
Firstly, organizations need to understand the drivers of employee
engagement (Gruman & Saks, 2011).
Job Challenge - When the scope of the job is large the employee gets
more chances in engaging in the job.
Autonomy - The
freedom that is being given to the employee to organize the work schedule and
organize the way of performing which provide them the ownership and control.
Variety - This is the job that gives the
employee to perform variety of duties by using different knowledge levels.
Feedback - Giving the
employee a feedback of the performance (Luthans & Peterson, 2002).
Fit - This allows the employee to believe
consistently
Opportunities for development
- Giving the job meaningful as the employer gives pathways for the individuals carrier development and growth
Rewards & Recognition - Giving necessary rewards and recognition which in
turn impact on staff motivation.
Another important
factor could be quality of leadership given by the line managers in performing
the duties as employee engagement requires a proper leadership through focusing
on a clear mission, vision and values and further it is discussed that an
effective recruitment and orientation programs are the first instance of the
first day of an employee (Markos & Sandhya, 2010). Almost two thirds
(60%) of the surveyed employees require additional opportunities to grow
forward in order to stay satisfied in their performing jobs.
A crucial ingredient in the employee engagement and retention
formula is the strong Manager employee relationship (Attridge,
2009). Furthermore a manager need to do five things to create a highly engaged
work force, such as Align efforts with strategy, Empower, Promote and encourage
team work and collaboration, help people to grow and develop and provide
support and recognition where appropriate (Bakker & Demerouti, 2008).
By assigning a proper job could enhance the engagement. Further
the employees at the start come for their employment for the salary
however the employee get engaged at their assigned duties since the
employees engaged work is meaningful (Seijts & Crim, 2006).
Organizing learning and development programs, Developing engagement through
Rewards systems, recognition and promotions are factors that enhance employee
engagement (Bartlomiejczuk, 2015). Therefore when employees are more
engaged it tends to increase productivity (PratimaSarangi & Nayak, B.,
2016).
The Components of Employee Engagement
There are three overlapping components of engagement which is
been introduced by Institute for Employments studies which are;
commitment,organizational citizenship behavior and
motivation (Zayas-ortiz, Rosario, Marquez, & Gruñeiro, 2015).
References
Attridge,
M. (2009). Measuring and managing employee work engagement: A review of the
research and business literature. Journal of Workplace Behavioral
Health, 24(4), 383–398. https://doi.org/10.1080/15555240903188398
Bakker,
A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2008). Towards a model of work engagement. Career
Development International, 13(3), 209–223.
https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430810870476
Bartlomiejczuk,
G. (2015). How do Recognition Programs Impact Employee Engagement and How have
Companies with a Large Global Footprint Structured such Programs to Drive
Results? Cornell University.
Chandani, A., Mehta, M., Mall, A., &
Khokhar, V. (2016). Employee engagement: A review paper on factors affecting
employee engagement. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 9(15).
https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i15/92145
Dr.
PratimaSarangi, & Dr. Bhagirathi Nayak. (2016). Employee Engagement and Its
Impact on Organizational Success – A Study in Manufacturing Company,
India. IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) , 18(4),
52–57. https://doi.org/10.9790/487X-1804015257
Gruman, J. A., & Saks, A. M. (2011). Performance management and
employee engagement. Human Resource Management Review, 21(2),
123–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2010.09.004
Harter,
J. K., Schmidt, F. L., & Hayes, T. L. (2002). Business-unit-level
relationship between employee satisfaction, employee engagement, and business
outcomes: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(2),
268–279. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.2.268
Hettiararchchi, H. A. ., & Jayarathna, S. M. D. .
(2014). The effect of Employee Work Related Attitudes on Employee Job
Performance: A Study of Tertiary and Vocational Education Sector in Sri Lanka. IOSR Journal of Business and
Management, 16(4), 74–83. https://doi.org/10.9790/487X-16447483
Luthans, F. J., & Peterson. (2002).
Employee engagement and manager self-efficacy: Implications for managerial
effectiveness and development. Journal of Management Development Human Resource Management International
Digest Strategic HR Review Iss Human Resource Management International Digest
Iss, 21(17), 376–387. https://doi.org/10.1108/02621710210426862
Markos, S., & Sandhya, S. (2010).
Employee Engagement: The Key to Improving Performance. International Journal of
Business and Management, 5(12), 89–96.
https://doi.org/E-ISSN 1833-8119
Seijts,
B. G. H., & Crim, D. (2006). What engages employees the most or, the ten
C’s of employee engagement. Ivey Business Journal, 23(4), 1–6.
https://doi.org/10.1306/D42695F3-2B26-11D7-8648000102C1865D
Shuck, B., & Wollard, K. (2010).
Employee engagement and HRD: A seminal review of the foundations. Human Resource Development
Review, 9(1), 89–110. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484309353560
Singh, M., & James, P. S. (2016).
Antecedents and consequence of work engagement: A literature review. International Journal of Applied
Business and Economic Research, 14(12), 8635–8656. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940610690169
Wildermuth,
C. D. M. E. S., & Pauken, P. D. (2008). A perfect match: Decoding employee
engagement - Part II: Engaging jobs and individuals. Industrial and
Commercial Training, 40(4), 206–210.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00197850810876253
Zayas-ortiz, M., Rosario, E., Marquez,
E., & Gruñeiro, P. C. (2015). Relationship between organizational
commitments and organizational citizenship behaviour in a sample of private
banking employees. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 35(January), 91–106. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-02-2014-0010