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The evolution of the employee engagement concept: communication implications

The evolution of the employee engagement concept: communication implications Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to make a contribution to corporate communication theory by considering the evolution of employee engagement and the role of communication in enhancing employee engagement. Design/methodology/approach – Despite its importance for organisation leaders, there is considerable confusion about the meaning of employee engagement. This paper aims to provide a degree of clarity on the concept by identifying stages in its evolution and discussing its definition. Findings – Surprisingly, corporate communication literature has not yet adequately considered the concept. This may be due to confusion concerning the concept, and to concerns about overlaps with other constructs such as commitment. This paper tackles the gap in the literature with a proposed model of the role of internal corporate communication in enhancing employee engagement. Research limitations/implications – The article discusses linkages between engagement and communication which suggest research potential for the communication disciplines. Practical implications – There are practical implications of the model proposed here since it encourages communicators to consider potential engagement effects of communication strategies and tactics. Social implications – The paper encourages communicators to consider the communication needs of employees. Originality/value – This conceptual paper provides an overview of employee engagement literature with a novel contribution identifying evolutionary waves in the development of the concept. It suggests a definition of organisation engagement as a dynamic, changeable psychological state which links employees to their organisations, manifest in organisation member role performances expressed physically, cognitively and emotionally, and influenced by organisation‐level internal communication. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Corporate Communications: An International Journal Emerald Publishing

The evolution of the employee engagement concept: communication implications

Mary Welch
Corporate Communications: An International Journal , Volume 16 (4): 19 – Oct 11, 2011
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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1356-3289
DOI
10.1108/13563281111186968
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to make a contribution to corporate communication theory by considering the evolution of employee engagement and the role of communication in enhancing employee engagement. Design/methodology/approach – Despite its importance for organisation leaders, there is considerable confusion about the meaning of employee engagement. This paper aims to provide a degree of clarity on the concept by identifying stages in its evolution and discussing its definition. Findings – Surprisingly, corporate communication literature has not yet adequately considered the concept. This may be due to confusion concerning the concept, and to concerns about overlaps with other constructs such as commitment. This paper tackles the gap in the literature with a proposed model of the role of internal corporate communication in enhancing employee engagement. Research limitations/implications – The article discusses linkages between engagement and communication which suggest research potential for the communication disciplines. Practical implications – There are practical implications of the model proposed here since it encourages communicators to consider potential engagement effects of communication strategies and tactics. Social implications – The paper encourages communicators to consider the communication needs of employees. Originality/value – This conceptual paper provides an overview of employee engagement literature with a novel contribution identifying evolutionary waves in the development of the concept. It suggests a definition of organisation engagement as a dynamic, changeable psychological state which links employees to their organisations, manifest in organisation member role performances expressed physically, cognitively and emotionally, and influenced by organisation‐level internal communication.

Journal

Corporate Communications: An International Journal – Emerald Publishing

Published: Oct 11, 2011

Keywords: Job commitment; Communication management; Corporate communications; Employee communications; Internal communications; Motivation

References

  • Handbook of Employee Engagement: Perspectives, Issues, Research and Practice
  • Affective, continuance, and normative commitment to the organization: an examination of construct validity
    Allen, N.J.; Meyer, J.P.
  • Measuring and managing employee work engagement: a review of the research and business literature
    Attridge, M.
  • Engagement: A Handbook of Essential Theory and Research
  • Key questions regarding work engagement
    Bakker, A.B.; Albrecht, S.L.; Leiter, M.P.
  • Engaged to perform: a new perspective on employee engagement
    Balain, S.; Sparrow, P.
  • Feeling good and performing well? Psychological engagement and positive behaviors at work
    Bindl, U.K.; Parker, S.K.
  • First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
    Buckingham, M.; Coffman, C.
  • Relationship Marketing in Sports
    Buhler, A.; Nufer, G.
  • The role of internal communication and training in infusing corporate values and delivering brand promise: Singapore Airlines' experience
    Chong, M.
  • How Engaged are British Employees? Annual Survey Report 2006
    CIPD