The Effects of Inclusive Leadership on Employee Engagement in a Financial Services Organisation in Dublin

O'Brien, Sinéad (2019) The Effects of Inclusive Leadership on Employee Engagement in a Financial Services Organisation in Dublin. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to uncover the effect inclusive leadership (IL) has on employee engagement (EE), within a financial services public sector organisation in Dublin. The researcher followed a qualitative approach and the primary data was collected via nine semi-structured interviews from within the organisation. The study focused on the best practice IL traits and key drivers of EE to ascertain if leaders were inclusive and the impact it had on EE levels.

The results of the study indicated that the majority of leaders were inclusive, which had a positive impact on individuals EE. In particular, the concepts that leaders are fair, treat people as individuals and with respect, afford levels of autonomy and are cognisant of their own personal bias, came out as strong leadership traits. The study also found that some leaders do not embrace some key elements of IL, which encompasses being open to the views of others and being comfortable with airing their weaknesses and limitations. A unique finding which sets this study apart from other research on this topic, is the link the organisation has to being within the public sector. The study found that manager behaviour is not always the sole reason for employees being engaged and public duty is a big driver for some individuals, however leader behaviour should not be underestimated or ignored as it can untimely sway engagement levels.

The findings of this study add to existing literature on the impact of IL and EE as it was carried out in a qualitative form, as opposed to quantitative and in an Irish setting, with the findings reinforcing the importance of IL for engagement. Some inherent limitations were noted. Firstly, time constraints restricted the researcher from adopting a mixed methodology approach which would add to the reliability of the findings. Secondly, qualitative research by nature is not generalisable, making this study’s findings relate solely to this organisation and not the wider financial services industry or public sector.

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 > HG Finance > Financial Services H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management H Social Sciences > HM Sociology > Leadership H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Leadership
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	16 Oct 2019 14:57
Last Modified:	16 Oct 2019 14:57
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/3935

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