Human Relations and Employee Engagement in Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between human relations and employee engagement in manufacturing firms in Kenya. The human relations constructs included: autonomy, integration, involvement, supervisory support and welfare. Employee engagement was conceptualized using the constructs of vigour, dedication and absorption. Methodology: Guided by positivism, this study adopted a cross-sectional survey using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The target population was 578 manufacturing firms in the 12 key industrial sub-sectors derived from the directory of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The sample size of 236 respondents was arrived at after using the Yamane sample size determination formula. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analysis was done using SPSS and results from the data analyzed were presented in tables and graphs. Findings: Correlation analysis results revealed a positive correlation between human relation and employee engagement in manufacturing firms in Kenya. Results from regression analysis revealed there is a positive and significant relationship between human relations and employee engagement in manufacturing firms in Kenya. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study recommends that organizations should give import to the extent to which they give prominence to tangibly demonstrating care for its employees since demonstrating that the organization values its workers will lead to higher employee engagement. Moreover, the study recommends that management should cultivate an atmosphere of trust and cooperation.