Investigating incentive strategies to increase employee engagement at an engineering services entity

Abstract

The feasibility of a points-based reward incentive scheme with game-like activities was proposed in this study to increase employee engagement. This was done by investigating conventional incentive and reward schemes. A unique incentive scheme aims to increase the engagement and motivation at an engineering services entity. A literature review was conducted to determine the various factors that influence employee motivation and engagement and to what measure it affects employee performance. Management of diversity was researched regarding the multigenerational workforce currently employed by the company. The literature indicated that there is a positive relationship between employee motivation, engagement and rewards in addition to their typical salary. The empirical investigation confirmed through statistical analysis of the data obtained through a questionnaire that the constructs listed in the literature indicated a positive relationship between motivation and engagement. Thus, employees who are motivated in the workplace tend to be more engaged. The respondents, on average, revealed that they would be willing to participate in a corporate points-based reward scheme with game-like activities. In addition, a reward scheme structure was subsequently proposed according to the needs of the multigenerational workforce.