Employee Engagement and Autonomy: A Case Study Research in China

Abstract

Employee engagement and autonomy are indispensable for a company's work environment, profitability, and brand-building. However, more research is needed on the Chinese retail sector since it is a growing issue in the world's second-largest $18.273 trillion economy. Hence, the study investigates the role of employee engagement and autonomy in the retail industry. A qualitative research strategy has been applied to enrich the knowledge, considering subjectivism, interpretivism, and constructivism research philosophy. Afterward, the study surveyed 30 employees using a semi-structured questionnaire and conducted open-ended interviews with a manager using Microsoft Teams and Surveymars. The collected data were coded using content analysis using Microsoft Office.

The empirical findings show that employee engagement refers to an employee’s emotional connection to their job, while autonomy indicates the freedom to make decisions and organize their responsible tasks. Salary and job benefits are the top indicators of employee engagement, along with the work environment and personal growth potential. On the other hand, trust and empowerment are essential for encouraging employee autonomy. Accordingly, employee engagement and autonomy are insightful in a company's work performance. The study emphasizes that Herzberg's theory should consider trust between leadership and employees as a hygiene factor for better applicability since trustworthy communication and support are necessary for a sound work environment.

The research suggests that Chinese corporate leaders should create a trustworthy work setting with flexibility, support, and a certain level of empowerment since leadership practices shape employee behaviors and outcomes. Moreover, employee engagement improves work performance, while autonomy enhances innovation and productivity. To conclude, encouraging employee engagement and empowerment is necessary for better work performance, lowering employee turnover, and facilitating long-run retail business growth in China.