Date of Conferral
2020
Degree
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
Gerald Regier
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate and deepen the understanding of employee engagement in the multigenerational workforce of a federal agency. Organizational culture in combination with the dispersion of staff across multiple generations presented the opportunity to inform the case study through scientific management theory and the theory of generations as well as concepts regarding organizational change, employee satisfaction, and organizational leadership. Research questions involved investigating factors influencing the reduction in employee satisfaction and engagement, the impact of generational differences, and the role leadership plays in altering employee engagement. Survey questions were developed based on 4 themes identified in the literature to impact employee engagement. One hundred and two staff participated in the survey, and 10 leaders participated in a focus group to inform the research questions. Results were analyzed to identify potential impacts on employee satisfaction. Emergent themes indicated that transparent communication, leadership style, and opportunities for development impacted employee engagement. Investigating employee engagement within a federal organization expands the base of knowledge for federal leaders in terms of working across a multigenerational workforce within the federal sector. The results of this study could be used to improve approaches for communication, leadership interactions, and staff engagement within federal organizations, thus improving the work environment enabling positive social change through continued improvement in public service.
Recommended Citation
McDaniel, Jody, "Employee Engagement in the Federal Sector: An Exploration of Communication, Respect, Motivation, and Encouragement" (2020). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 8752.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/8752
