Empowering healthcare: the link of self-efficacy, employee engagement, and citizenship behaviors

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Purpose This study investigates employee engagement within private healthcare settings, with a particular emphasis on the connection between occupational self-efficacy and organizational citizenship behaviors. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach was utilized for this research. Interviews were conducted with employees across different managerial levels to identify various employee engagement strategies implemented in eight private hospitals in West Bengal. Subsequently, a survey of 414 healthcare employees from these institutions was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The study employed Confirmatory Factor Analysis, linear regression, and mediation analysis using the Sobel test to explore the relationships between variables. Findings The study revealed a significant positive correlation among all variables. Employee engagement was identified as a mediating factor between occupational self-efficacy and organizational citizenship behavior. Research limitations/implications This research is focused exclusively on the healthcare sector, with no data collected from other sectors, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. The sample size and geographic scope were restricted, which may not capture the full diversity of perspectives within the healthcare sector. Practical implications This research indicates that OSE promotes OCB, with this effect amplified when mediated by EE. Thus, fostering EE can significantly contribute to achieving OCB, a crucial factor in the healthcare sector. Given these insights, public healthcare institutions, which often serve a larger and more diverse patient population, could benefit from adopting similar engagement-enhancing practices. In these high-pressure environments, where employees frequently need to exceed their formal role definitions, cultivating a culture of engagement becomes paramount. By implementing targeted EE initiatives, government hospitals can potentially improve OCB among their staff, leading to enhanced patient care and operational efficiency. Government healthcare HR professionals can enhance OSE through training, coaching, and talent recognition programs. Empowering employees via skill development and participative decision-making can boost OSE and its positive impact on OCB. Originality/value This study offers novel insights that can inform practices in both private and public healthcare sectors, representing a pioneering effort in the Indian context. By examining these dynamics, the research aims to contribute to the development of strategies that enhance employee engagement, ultimately leading to improved patient care that goes beyond standard job descriptions.