A CRITICAL EXAMINATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE
KEY FACTORS THAT DRIVE HIGHER LEVELS OF EMPLOYEE
ENGAGEMENT WITHIN THE MILLENNIALS WORKFORCE;
A CASE STUDY OF FOOD INDUSTRY.
Aleksandra Janusiewicz
15054160
BA (Hons) Human Resource Management
April 2018
This dissertation submitted to the University of South Wales as the
fulfilment of the Bachelor’s Degree in BA (Hons) Human Resource
Management.
I declare that this dissertation is the result of my own independent
investigation and that all sources are duly acknowledged in the
bibliography.
1
, Acknowledgments
After an intense period of a couple of months, I would like to write this note of
thanks as a finishing touch on my dissertation. It has been an intense period of learning for
me, not only in the scientific field but also on a personal level. Following this further, I would
like to mention that writing this dissertation has had a big impact on me. I would like to
reflect on the people who have helped and supported me.
Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor, Anthony Lewis, for the immense support,
motivation, and excellent collaboration. You supported me greatly and definitely provided
me with the tools that I needed to choose the right direction and successfully complete my
dissertation.
In addition, I would like to say a massive thank you to my family and friends for their
help and always being there for me. You have always been a great support through hard
times.
Thank you very much, everyone!
Aleksandra Janusiewicz
April 30, 2018
2
, Abstract
Purpose: The main aim of this research is to critically identify and discuss the main drivers
that fuel a higher employee engagement amongst the Millennials workforce. The term
Millennials was defined by concentrating on Deval and Levenson (2015) definition.
Methodology: The qualitative research based on 2 months of the participants’ observation
administered to Generation Y, more specifically Millennials employees at Nando’s
restaurant, South Wales.
Findings: The key factors affecting Millennials engagement, at first place, were identified as
work-life balance with flexible working hours as well as the opportunity to career
progression. The need of saying what they feel or think, constant feedback and supportive
supervision are the next drivers of employee engagement that were found.
Practicality: The results of this research mostly benefit employers as it highlights the key
factors affecting Millennials engagement towards work, their needs, values and, morals that
are important for them and the fact that there is a high possibility for Millennials to leave if
those needs or values are not met. What is more, the following report consists of some
recommendations that employer might find useful and beneficial for his/her strategy and
approach to Millennials workforce.
Key words: Employee Engagement, Generation Y, Millennials, Attitudes, and Values
3
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.......................................................................................................................2
ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................6
1.1. Background and rationale....................................................................................................................... 6
1.2. Background and strategy of the chosen organization..............................................................................7
1.3. Limitations and ethical considerations.................................................................................................... 8
1.4. Aims and objectives............................................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 2 – LITERATURE REVIEW..................................................................................................10
2.1 The importance and outcomes of engagement and disengagement.......................................................10
2.2 Theories and models of Employee Engagement in chronological order...................................................11
2.3. Millennials- Generation Y specification................................................................................................. 15
CHAPTER 3 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................22
3.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 22
3.2 Research philosophy.............................................................................................................................. 22
3.2.1 Ontology....................................................................................................................................................23
3.2.2 Epistemology.............................................................................................................................................24
3.3 Research methodology and approach.................................................................................................... 25
3.4 Data Collection Methods....................................................................................................................... 26
CHAPTER 4 – RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION.....................................................................28
4.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 28
4.2 Findings and Discussion......................................................................................................................... 28
4
KEY FACTORS THAT DRIVE HIGHER LEVELS OF EMPLOYEE
ENGAGEMENT WITHIN THE MILLENNIALS WORKFORCE;
A CASE STUDY OF FOOD INDUSTRY.
Aleksandra Janusiewicz
15054160
BA (Hons) Human Resource Management
April 2018
This dissertation submitted to the University of South Wales as the
fulfilment of the Bachelor’s Degree in BA (Hons) Human Resource
Management.
I declare that this dissertation is the result of my own independent
investigation and that all sources are duly acknowledged in the
bibliography.
1
, Acknowledgments
After an intense period of a couple of months, I would like to write this note of
thanks as a finishing touch on my dissertation. It has been an intense period of learning for
me, not only in the scientific field but also on a personal level. Following this further, I would
like to mention that writing this dissertation has had a big impact on me. I would like to
reflect on the people who have helped and supported me.
Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor, Anthony Lewis, for the immense support,
motivation, and excellent collaboration. You supported me greatly and definitely provided
me with the tools that I needed to choose the right direction and successfully complete my
dissertation.
In addition, I would like to say a massive thank you to my family and friends for their
help and always being there for me. You have always been a great support through hard
times.
Thank you very much, everyone!
Aleksandra Janusiewicz
April 30, 2018
2
, Abstract
Purpose: The main aim of this research is to critically identify and discuss the main drivers
that fuel a higher employee engagement amongst the Millennials workforce. The term
Millennials was defined by concentrating on Deval and Levenson (2015) definition.
Methodology: The qualitative research based on 2 months of the participants’ observation
administered to Generation Y, more specifically Millennials employees at Nando’s
restaurant, South Wales.
Findings: The key factors affecting Millennials engagement, at first place, were identified as
work-life balance with flexible working hours as well as the opportunity to career
progression. The need of saying what they feel or think, constant feedback and supportive
supervision are the next drivers of employee engagement that were found.
Practicality: The results of this research mostly benefit employers as it highlights the key
factors affecting Millennials engagement towards work, their needs, values and, morals that
are important for them and the fact that there is a high possibility for Millennials to leave if
those needs or values are not met. What is more, the following report consists of some
recommendations that employer might find useful and beneficial for his/her strategy and
approach to Millennials workforce.
Key words: Employee Engagement, Generation Y, Millennials, Attitudes, and Values
3
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.......................................................................................................................2
ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................6
1.1. Background and rationale....................................................................................................................... 6
1.2. Background and strategy of the chosen organization..............................................................................7
1.3. Limitations and ethical considerations.................................................................................................... 8
1.4. Aims and objectives............................................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 2 – LITERATURE REVIEW..................................................................................................10
2.1 The importance and outcomes of engagement and disengagement.......................................................10
2.2 Theories and models of Employee Engagement in chronological order...................................................11
2.3. Millennials- Generation Y specification................................................................................................. 15
CHAPTER 3 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................22
3.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 22
3.2 Research philosophy.............................................................................................................................. 22
3.2.1 Ontology....................................................................................................................................................23
3.2.2 Epistemology.............................................................................................................................................24
3.3 Research methodology and approach.................................................................................................... 25
3.4 Data Collection Methods....................................................................................................................... 26
CHAPTER 4 – RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION.....................................................................28
4.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 28
4.2 Findings and Discussion......................................................................................................................... 28
4
