Strategies to Increase Employee Engagement in Long-Term Residential Agencies

256 Pages·2017·2.44 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2018
Strategies to Increase Employee Engagement in
Long-Term Residential Agencies
Corey Fair
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral study by

Corey Odell Fair

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Yvette Ghormley, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Matthew Gonzalez, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Scott Burrus, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2018
Abstract
Strategies to Increase Employee Engagement in Long-Term Residential Agencies
by
Corey O. Fair

MA, Webster University, 2007
BA, Coker College, 2003

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
January 2018
Abstract
Disengaged employees adversely affect organizational strategies to promote higher
standards of care and quality of life for long-term residential patients. The purpose of this
single case study was to explore strategies healthcare leaders use to engage employees.
The targeted population for this study was the senior leaders of a long-term residential
care agency located in South Carolina who had initiated strategies and practices to
engage employees. Kahn’s theory of personal engagement and disengagement was the
conceptual framework for this study. Data collection included semistructured face-to-face
interviews with open-ended questions, and the long-term residential agency’s employee
handbook, training agenda, and incentive program. Data were transcribed, coded, and
then validated through member checking and triangulation, resulting in the development
of 6 themes: leadership attentiveness to promote workplace meaningfulness,
incorporation of robust communication policies and procedures, organizational support
for engagement, fostering interpersonal relationships for increased employee value,
meaningful rewards and recognition, and training and development for personal and
professional growth. Leaders have a significant role in the development of conditions
within the work environment that foster employee engagement. The implications for
positive social change include the improvement of physical and social qualities of life for
long-term residential patients and their families, the ease of financial burdens for
healthcare professionals, and a reduction in the amount of tax revenue needed to support
the needs of aging U.S. citizens.
Strategies to Increase Employee Engagement in Long-Term Residential Agencies
by
Corey O. Fair

MA, Webster University, 2007
BA, Coker College, 2003

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
January 2018
Dedication
I dedicate this study to my life’s partner Krystal and our children. Thank you for
so many prayers. Your faith and strength carried me through tough times. Thank you for
believing, with me, our Father’s plan and will for our lives. Also to my late father O’dell
(1956-2014) who taught me to trust and believe in God to achieve and excel above all
that I request or dream. To my daughters Kierra and Kori, here I build on the foundation
of my legacy for you. Upon my legacy you will complete the work that our Father has for
you. To my mother, I love you. Little truly became much when I realized that all you had
was all I needed, your love. You birthed the first member of our family to earn a doctoral
degree. I am eternally grateful that our Father chose you.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my Heavenly Father for the abundance of life gifted to me
through the series of relationships developed during this journey. To Dr. Ghormely
(Chair), I am thankful that you were a guiding light and my beacon of hope through the
many doctoral valleys. I am grateful for all that you are. To Dr. Figgers (Mentor), thank
you for lending a shoulder, ear, wisdom, and understanding. To my extended family
thank you for your patience and support during this journey.
Table of Contents
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v
Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1
Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2
Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................2
Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................3
Research Question .........................................................................................................4
Interview Questions .......................................................................................................4
Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................5
Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................5
Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................7
Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 7
Limitations .............................................................................................................. 7
Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 7
Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................8
Contribution to Business Practice ........................................................................... 8
Implications for Social Change ............................................................................... 9
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ................................................9
Theory of Personal Engagement and Disengagement .......................................... 11
Comparative Conceptual Framework ................................................................... 15
Organizational Leadership .................................................................................... 19
i
Employee Engagement for Increased Organizational Productivity ...................... 21
High Engagement Work Culture .......................................................................... 29
The Business of Health Care................................................................................. 41
Long-term Residential Care .................................................................................. 43
Literature Review Summary ................................................................................. 46
Transition .....................................................................................................................48
Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................48
Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................49
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................49
Participants ...................................................................................................................51
Research Method and Design ......................................................................................54
Research Method .................................................................................................. 54
Research Design.................................................................................................... 55
Population and Sampling .............................................................................................58
Ethical Research...........................................................................................................60
Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................62
Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................66
Data Organization Technique ......................................................................................70
Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................72
Reliability and Validity ................................................................................................75
Reliability .............................................................................................................. 75
Validity ................................................................................................................. 77
ii
Transition and Summary ..............................................................................................80
Section 3: Application to Professional Practice and Implications for Change ..................81
Introduction ..................................................................................................................81
Presentation of the Findings.........................................................................................82
Theme 1: Leadership Attentiveness to Promote Workplace
Meaningfulness ......................................................................................... 82
Theme 2: Incorporate Robust Communication Policies and Procedures .............. 89
Theme 3: Organizational Support for Engagement .............................................. 95
Theme 4: Fostering Interpersonal Relationships for Increased Employee
Value ....................................................................................................... 102
Theme 5: Meaningful Rewards and Recognition ............................................... 107
Theme 6: Training and Development for Personal and Professional
Growth .................................................................................................... 110
Applications to Professional Practice ........................................................................114
Implications for Social Change ..................................................................................119
Recommendations for Action ....................................................................................120
Recommendations for Further Research ....................................................................122
Reflections .................................................................................................................123
Summary and Study Conclusions ..............................................................................124
References ........................................................................................................................126
Appendix A: Human Subject Research Certificate of Completion .................................180
Appendix B: Interview Protocol ......................................................................................181
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