Successful Strategies to Engage Employees in the Workplace

Successful Strategies to Engage Employees in the Workplace by Jan R. Youmans MHRM, Keller Graduate School of Management, DeVry University, 2014 BS, DeVry University, 2011 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University December 2018 Abstract Research revealed that 20% of American employees are not actively engaged in the workplace. Disengaged employees cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars annually in lost productivity. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies that small business managers of a privately-owned company used to maintain an engaged work force. The target population consisted of 4 small business managers from the same organization within Fairfax County, Virginia. Leader member exchange was the conceptual framework chosen for this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of company documents. Member checking was used to address the dependability of data. Data were analyzed using Yin’s 5-phased cycle of data analysis and methodological triangulation. The final interpretations revealed 2 major themes: creating and sustaining a cohesive, engaging organizational environment and ensuring effective communications. The contributions of this study to positive social change include encouraging managers and their employees to have a healthier attitude at work, having a better sense of work–life balance, and having pride in belonging. Understanding the contribution of an engaging workforce may enable organizational leaders to improve performance and profits for catalyzing monetary and nonmonetary contributions benefiting communities.Research revealed that 20% of American employees are not actively engaged in the workplace. Disengaged employees cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars annually in lost productivity. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies that small business managers of a privately-owned company used to maintain an engaged work force. The target population consisted of 4 small business managers from the same organization within Fairfax County, Virginia. Leader member exchange was the conceptual framework chosen for this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of company documents. Member checking was used to address the dependability of data. Data were analyzed using Yin’s 5-phased cycle of data analysis and methodological triangulation. The final interpretations revealed 2 major themes: creating and sustaining a cohesive, engaging organizational environment and ensuring effective communications. The contributions of this study to positive social change include encouraging managers and their employees to have a healthier attitude at work, having a better sense of work–life balance, and having pride in belonging. Understanding the contribution of an engaging workforce may enable organizational leaders to improve performance and profits for catalyzing monetary and nonmonetary contributions benefiting communities. Successful Strategies for Engaging Employees in the Workplace by Jan R. Youmans MHRM, Keller Graduate School of Management, DeVry University, 2014 BS, DeVry University, 2011 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University December 2018 Dedication I would like to dedicate this study to my parents. I thank you for giving me life, strength, and wisdom, and for always being there when I needed you the most. Acknowledgments I give my humble thanks to God for giving me the strength and courage to carry out such a journey and the will power to see it through. I would also like to thank a host of family and friends for their words of encouragement from beginning to end. And finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the following Walden University, Doctor of Business Administration committee members, Dr. Teresa Jepma (Chair), Dr. Annie Brown (Second Committee Member), Dr. Allen Endres (URR), and Dr. Susan Davis (Program Director). Thank you for your support.