Investigating the factors contributing to employee engagement in Islamic higher education institutions

Purpose Employee engagement has been identified as a prevalent issue affecting higher education institutions, particularly since the emergence of COVID-19. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the factors contributing to employee engagement in Islamic higher education institutions in the context of Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research design was used for this study, and a survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 340 staff members of Islamic higher education institutions in Malaysia. The proposed hypotheses underwent testing through the statistical technique of structural equation modelling, using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) and analysis of moment structures (AMOS). Findings The results indicate that training and development, trustworthiness, workplace spirituality, reward and recognition, management support and job autonomy significantly contribute to employee engagement in Islamic higher education institutions in Malaysia. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to the staff of Islamic higher education institutions in Malaysia. A comparative cross-cultural research approach may be preferred for a more comprehensive understanding. Therefore, future researchers are encouraged to consider this limitation when investigating the factors contributing to employee engagement in Islamic higher education institutions, particularly to confirm the cogency of our findings. Originality/value The findings provide valuable insights into the workforce factors that play key roles in developing a highly engaged workforce in Islamic higher education institutions. This study contributes to the enrichment of the literature in this specific area of study.