Management Practices and Employee Engagement in the Workplace: A Qualitative-Phenomenological Study

Abstract

e purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the expe riences of the employees in terms of job engagement as a result of their man agement practices in the workplace. It also described their coping mechan isms on the challenges posed by management practices to remain engaged in the organization. The qualitative-phenomenological research design was uti lized where 6 rank and file employees of the medium enterprises in General Santos City were picked to undergo an in-depth interview. The results of the interview were transcribed, translated, and coded to produce themes. As re gards to experiences to management practices, the following were the themes: trusting employees, clear communication, teamwork and collaboration, the inconsistency of policy implementation, and lack of recognition. As to their coping mechanisms to remain engage in the job, the themes include accep tance of organizational culture, presence of family support, proactive thinking and self-motivation, and job focus and commitment. As to their insights for having highly engaged employees, the themes generated were valuing em ployee, leadership by example, a proper channel of communication, and au thentic management recognition.