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Employee engagement in Ghana’s higher education institutions: a systematic literature review

Author

Listed:
  • Lawrenda Adiasany

    (Department of Business Management, Central University of Technology)

  • Crispen Chipunza

    (Department of Business Management, Central University of Technology)

  • Lineo Dzansi

    (Department of Business Management, Central University of Technology)

  • Samson Adewumi

    (Central University of Technology)

Abstract

Employee engagement has become a prominent topic in workplace discourse, particularly within academia, yet the academic literature on this subject remains relatively limited, especially in the context of Ghana. This paper seeks to address this gap by examining the factors contributing to employee engagement among academics and exploring their interrelationships for enhanced engagement of faculty. This was done through a comprehensive literature review, drawing on peer-reviewed journal articles, working papers, textbooks, and other relevant published sources, as well as online databases, including EBSCO Business Source Premier, Emerald Full Text, Google Scholar, Sci-Space, Science Direct, Sci-Hub, and Scopus. This study identifies key factors influencing employee engagement in higher education institutions as co-worker relationships, effective supervision, confidence in management, meaningful work roles, perceived organisational politics, organisational resources, effective leadership, and compensation and monetary benefits. The findings reveal a concerning trend of a higher number of disengaged or unengaged employees compared to those who are actively engaged. Furthermore, the consequences of employee engagement identified in the literature include job satisfaction, employee retention, and organisational citizenship behaviours, while challenges and barriers to engagement include poor management-union relationships, poor work environments, poor management practices, and inadequate communication. This paper contributes to the understanding of employee engagement in academia and provides insights for improving engagement levels in higher education institutions in Ghana.

Suggested Citation

  • Lawrenda Adiasany & Crispen Chipunza & Lineo Dzansi & Samson Adewumi, 2024. "Employee engagement in Ghana’s higher education institutions: a systematic literature review," International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293), Bussecon International Academy, vol. 6(6), pages 133-147, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:adi:ijbess:v:6:y:2024:i:6:p:133-147
    DOI: 10.36096/ijbes.v6i6.526
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wilmar Schaufeli & Marisa Salanova & Vicente González-romá & Arnold Bakker, 2002. "The Measurement of Engagement and Burnout: A Two Sample Confirmatory Factor Analytic Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 71-92, March.
    2. Elisabeth Baia & João J Ferreira & Ricardo Rodrigues, 2020. "Value and rareness of resources and capabilities as sources of competitive advantage and superior performance," Knowledge Management Research & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 249-262, July.
    3. Li Sun & Chanchai Bunchapattanasakda, 2019. "Employee Engagement: A Literature Review," International Journal of Human Resource Studies, Macrothink Institute, vol. 9(1), pages 63-80, December.
    4. Simon L. Albrecht & Camille R. Green & Andrew Marty, 2021. "Meaningful Work, Job Resources, and Employee Engagement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-14, April.
    5. Daiva Budriene & Danuta Diskiene, 2020. "Employee Engagement: Types, Levels And Relationship With Practice Of Hrm," Malaysian E Commerce Journal (MECJ), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 4(2), pages 42-47, June.
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