Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Business Administration
Advisor
Frank Bearden
Abstract
Small business leaders who lack effective strategies to improve employee engagement may be unable to retain employees, keep employees motivated, or improve employee performance, adversely affecting company productivity and profitability. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies small business leaders use to improve employee engagement. Data were collected from three small business leaders in North Texas with 5 years of leadership experience who have successfully created and implemented employee engagement strategies. Data collection included semistructured interviews and publicly available organizational documents. Three key themes emerged from Yin’s five-step data analysis process: supportive leadership behaviors cultivated employee engagement, open and honest communication promoted employee engagement, and recognition and compensation improved employee engagement. A key recommendation is for small business leaders to provide a communication strategy that sets clear and concise expectations for employees to understand their strong impact to the organization’s overall success. The implications for positive social change include the potential for small business leaders to improve employee engagement that, might increase employee satisfaction, which can create prosperity for the communities by increasing employees’ self-confidence and determination to carry out positive services in their communities.
Recommended Citation
Wright, Stacy, "Leadership Strategies for Improving Employee Engagement" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13922.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13922
