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Work Engagement : An exploration into the barriers and facilitators that affect Clerical Officers abilities to engage in the Irish Civil Service

Collins, Gráinne (2013) Work Engagement : An exploration into the barriers and facilitators that affect Clerical Officers abilities to engage in the Irish Civil Service. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This study seeks to address the barriers and facilitators that affect employee’s abilities to engage at work by proposing ‘Work Engagement: An exploration into the barriers and facilitators that affect Clerical Officers abilities to engage in the Irish Civil Service.’ The aim of this study is to identify the barriers and the facilitators in order to increase work engagement among Clerical Officers. To date the majority of studies on engagement have been focused on human services occupations. This present study intends to add to the occupational groups outside the human services industries by examining administrative personnel within a bureaucratic setting.

The study will make two significant contributions. Firstly, it will add to the international literature in an Irish context and secondly it will be one of the first studies to examine work engagement within a bureaucratic, hierarchical structure such as the Irish Civil Service. The findings will provide insight and information for organisations both in the civil service and the public sector. In the context of increased demand, diminished resources, increased media and political criticism it is time to review the basis on which public sector are motivated to meet the challenges ahead.

The research strategy adopted was a quantitative, deductive approach using an in-depth survey. The survey consisted of five sections examining demographics, working life, management and communication, attitudes to work and engagement levels. Multiple statistical analyses such as descriptive and inferential statistics were used in conjunction with the SPSS statistical program. The findings illustrate that overall engagement levels are currently high among the responding Clerical Officers, showing 65% cognitively, 74% emotionally and 65% physically engaged with 51% displaying advocacy. However, respondents reported lower levels of engagement since 2008.

The research findings support the key themes identified within the literature. They support the prediction that perceived organisational support, job content and attitudes to work have a substantial influence on work engagement. The findings also offer insight into the perceived impact the Haddington Road Agreement will have on work engagement.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Performance Management > Employee Engagement
H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Quality of Work Life / Job Satisfaction
Divisions: School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User: Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited: 22 Nov 2013 14:30
Last Modified: 22 Nov 2013 14:30
URI: https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/860

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