Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 Strategies Manufacturing Plant Leaders Use to Limit High Employee Turnover Peter Claver Amako Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations 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 Amako Peter Claver 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. Dina Samora, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Tim Truitt, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Brenda Jack, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract Strategies Manufacturing Plant Leaders Use to Reduce High Employee Turnover by Amako Peter Claver MSC, Sheffield Hallam University, 2009 BSC, University of Uyo, 2003 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2020 Abstract High employee turnover negatively affects organizations directly in various ways, such as loss of revenue, a decline in employee morale, and productivity. Manufacturing organizational leaders are concerned with high employee turnover due to the high cost of hiring and training new employees. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies manufacturing plant leaders use to reduce high employee turnover. The participants were 9 manufacturing plant leaders in South Western Florida, who developed and implemented successful strategies that reduced high employee turnover. Data collection comprised semi-structured interviews and relevant organizational documents. Thematic analysis of the data resulted in 3 emergent themes: supportive leadership, competitive pay and benefits, and training and career development opportunities reduced high employee turnover. The implications for positive social change include the potential for a decline in unemployment rates and increases in revenue for the manufacturing plant leaders that may result in supporting social programs to improve the living standards of local communities Strategies Manufacturing Plant Leaders Use to Reduce High Employee Turnover By Amako Peter Claver MSC, Sheffield Hallam University, 2009 BSC, University of Uyo, 2003 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2020 Dedication I dedicate this study to God, for being with me throughout the trial periods of this doctoral study journey and for his grace to accomplish this doctoral degree. I also dedicate this doctoral study to my wife Kelechi, and my two beautiful daughters, Ezinne and Kosisochukwu. Thank you for understanding when I had to change family plans because of course work or go to the library to study. This doctoral study is a dedication to my beloved sister Kelechi Taylor, and her husband Dr. Tolu Taylor, who gave me the opportunity of earning a post graduate degree that culminated into this doctorate degree. I also dedicate this doctoral study to my niece, Judith Taylor, and nephew, George Taylor for their inspirations and prayers. Lastly, I would like to dedicate my doctoral study to the memory of my parents: Chief, Sir P.C. Amako, and lady J.C. Amako who were both educationists. My dad was a great inspiration and always encouraged me, but sadly, he could not see my doctoral study to the end. My mother was the first teacher that taught me to read, spell, write, and instilled the confidence in me to keep moving forward to achieve my dream. My parents impacted the value of having a good education in me, and they believe that each additional educational attainment comes with more opportunities to excel. Acknowledgments I want to thank my Committee Chair, Dr. Dina Samora, for her genuine and wonderful support and encouragement during my trial periods throughout this doctoral study. In addition to her most valuable feedback, her morale and prayer support made me have hope when there seemed to be none. I also want to thank my second committee member, Dr. Tim Truitt, for his feedback and direction that were instrumental in achieving this goal. I want to appreciate the entire Walden community; my professors, the library and writing center teams for their quick response to all my requests, the student support team and the academic advising team for being available in times of need. I want to appreciate Pastor Dr. Efe Onyenego and Dr. Chinedu Chikwe for their encouragement and inspiration. I want to thank Chris Pell, Barbara Ruiz, Mr. Andrew Fulkerson, and other colleagues at work for their encouragement and support towards completing this study. I want to thank my colleagues too numerous to mention in this doctorate study journey. I learned a lot from our class discussions and private engagements. Finally, I want to thank the almighty God for his grace and miracles upon my life. I give him all the glory, honor, adoration, and thanks for making this doctorate study a reality. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv 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 ..................................................................................................6 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................7 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 7 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 7 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 8 Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................8 Contribution to Business Practice ........................................................................... 8 Implications for Social Change ............................................................................... 9 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ..............................................10 Turnover Intention ................................................................................................ 31 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................60 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................60 i Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................60 Participants ...................................................................................................................63 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................66 Research Method .................................................................................................. 66 Research Design.................................................................................................... 67 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................69 Ethical Research...........................................................................................................71 Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................75 Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................78 Data Organization Technique ......................................................................................81 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................82