Midlevel Manager Strategies to Improve Employee Engagement in Small Businesses Patricia Ann Silva Walden University
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2016 Midlevel Manager Strategies to Improve Employee Engagement in Small Businesses Patricia Ann Silva Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, and the Other Education Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral study by Patricia Silva 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. John House, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Ify Diala, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Judith Blando, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract Midlevel Manager Strategies to Improve Employee Engagement in Small Businesses by Patricia Ann Silva MBA, Upper Iowa University, 2004 BS, Upper Iowa University, 2000 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University September 2016 Abstract The ability to improve employee engagement in small businesses is critical, not only to workers but also to midlevel managers who want to retain productive employees in the workplace. Supervisors who lack efficient managerial practices also risk decreases in productivity, profitability, and sustainability. The conceptual framework for this qualitative, exploratory single-case study was Kahn’s theory of personal engagement and disengagement. The population consisted of 2 midlevel managers from a single, small, franchise company in metropolitan Alabama, both of whom used engagement practices, and managed at least 5 subordinates in the company. Data collected, analyzed, and triangulated were from semistructured interviews, direct observations, and a review of company documents. Coded interview responses aligned with the research question, conceptual framework, and emergent themes resulted in identifying successful engagement strategies that midlevel leaders to use. Two critical themes that emerged were management and communication. Supportive management behaviors and leader- member exchange yielded positive employee engagement and increased job performance and productivity. These results could be used to help midlevel managers develop strategies that improve employee enagagement and job performance. Social change implications included leaders developing new strategies that encourage positive relationships among top-level and midlevel leaders, lower level employees, and customers. Midlevel Manager Strategies to Improve Employee Engagement in Small Businesses by Patricia Ann Silva MBA, Upper Iowa University, 2004 BS, Upper Iowa University, 2000 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University September 2016 Dedication I am dedicating this doctoral study to my loving husband and mother, Deloris. Without their unconditional love, accomplishing my personal and professional goals would not be possible. I also dedicate this study to my four children Kenny, John, Crystal, and Michael. May they one day understand that without love, happiness, peace, balance, and knowledge of self, one cannot truly experience life. Acknowledgement The completion of this doctoral study would not be possible without the support of so many people. I would first like to thank God for granting me the strength, knowledge, ability, and understanding to complete this study. Without God nothing is possible. I would also like to offer a special thanks to my husband, children, and mother for their unconditional love, continued support, and sacrifice during this journey. Life is what we make it. We must win in our minds, before we win in our lives. I would like to acknowledge my amazing committee. Dr. John House, thank you for your patience, push, and constant encouragement. My success is a reflection of your knowledge, wisdom, and commitment. Dr. Ify Diala and Dr. Judith Fisher-Blando, thank you for your support and expertise. Dr. Freda Turner thanks for believing in my work and assisting me throughout my journey. Lastly, thank you to my colleagues. Your constant support and encouragement will forever remain in my heart. Thank you all for believing in me. Table of Contents Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................3 Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................3 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................4 Research Question .........................................................................................................5 Interview Questions .......................................................................................................5 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................5 Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................7 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................9 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 9 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 9 Delimitations ......................................................................................................... 10 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................10 Contribution to Business Practice ......................................................................... 10 Implications for Social Change ............................................................................. 11 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ..............................................11 Personal Engagement and Disengagement Theory............................................... 13 Management Styles and Process ........................................................................... 18 i Group and Intergroup Dynamics .......................................................................... 27 Organizational Norms ........................................................................................... 32 Interpersonal Relationships ................................................................................... 46 Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................49 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................51 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................51 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................52 Participants ...................................................................................................................53 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................55 Research Method .................................................................................................. 55 Research Design.................................................................................................... 56 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................58 Ethical Research...........................................................................................................61 Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................62 Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................65 Data Organization Technique ......................................................................................69 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................72 Reliability and Validity ................................................................................................75 Reliability .............................................................................................................. 76 Validity ................................................................................................................