Influence of Job Satisfaction on Employee Relations and Work Engagement

Abstract

In order to positively influence the levels of employee job satisfaction and create work engagement, organisations need to ensure that employee relations are harmonious and strategically designed. Job satisfaction has been identified as a strategic tool for organisational success and sustainability. To date, no studies have investigated the influence of job satisfaction on employee relations and work engagement in a military setting in South Africa. The research design of this study was quantitative, utilising a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The responses were extrapolated and analysed. The questionnaire was distributed to 618 members of the targeted population of 13 741 personnel in the South African Army Formation. The response rate was 56.8% (N = 349). A 5-point Likert-scale comprising 67 questions was used to collect the data. The statistical analysis used structural equation modelling and revealed that the questionnaire had a relatively high internal validity and reliability. A key outcome was a validated framework for improving work engagement through employee relations and job satisfaction in the military. The themes and sub-themes that emerged concerned employee relations, job satisfaction and work engagement. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge regarding human resource management, particularly employee relations, job satisfaction and work engagement. Further, the study demonstrated that there was generally a linkage between job satisfaction, employee relations and work engagement among the population under study. The limitation of the study was that the generalisability of the results across the entire military and other sectors is not feasible. It was recommended that management put strategies in place to ensure that job satisfaction is enhanced and maintained so that it can positively contribute to high levels of employee relations and work engagement.