Employee engagement among women employed in technical mining positions in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17159/Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors that influence women’s engagement in technical mining positions and, as a result, to determine what could be done to promote their successful participation in the South African mining industry. For the empirical investigation, a convergent parallel mixed-methods research design was used to ascertain the factors that facilitate, inhibit and influence the engagement of women employed in technical mining positions in South Africa. For the quantitative research, questionnaires were administered to women employed in technical mining positions, while for the qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with employer representatives, most of whom were human resource personnel.
A confirmatory factor analysis showed that the three-factor structure (vigour, dedication and absorption) of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale fit the sample data reasonably well. Although there is room for improvement, respondents generally demonstrated acceptable levels of engagement in their work. On the other hand, the qualitative findings indicated that employee engagement is impacted by unfavourable working conditions, work–life balance and the mining industry’s male-dominated work culture.
From the research results and findings, it became evident that employee engagement should be elevated to a core human resource function. To increase the participation of women in mining, human resource professionals are encouraged to collaborate with mine supervisors, managers and employees to develop programmes that promote employees’ absorption in and dedication to their work.
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