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Employee Engagement

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Employee Engagement
Effectively Using an Integrated Employee Engagement Program

Marilyn Field

University of the Rockies

October 3, 2010

Org/8530

Dr. Gary Shelton

Abstract

A company’s level of employee engagement is a reflection of its core values; while at the same time reflects a fulfilling and positive job-related state of mind that is characterized by the resilience and energy of its workers. The following report is an analysis of a case study conducted by Hallowell (1996) to determine whether Southwest Airline’s organizational capabilities and employee needs are linked to competitive advantage. An examination of the data presented in the Southwest Airlines study reveals a significant level of employee commitment through the engagement and hiring of workers who fit the Southwest standards.

Effectively Using an Integrated Employee Engagement Program

For the last several years Southwest Airlines has been awarded as one of the best companies in which to work by Fortune Magazine. There is an extensive list of awards and achievements attributed to Southwest Airlines including Forbes 2008 most reliable airline, best in customer service, and the number one friendliest airline to fly in 2008 by Time Magazine (Triangle Business Journal, 2008; Time Magazine.com., 2008). A review of the literature revealed that much of Southwest Airlines continued success is due to their effectiveness in engaging their employees. The Southwest Airline employees reflect the organization’s culture as one with committed workers who strive to maintain the company’s reputation as a leader in social responsibility. A case study was conducted by Hallowell (1996) to analyze the sources of Southwest Airline’s competitive advantage. Hallowell attributes the highly acclaimed airline’s success to the high value place on its employees. Hallowell’s 1996 case study of Southwest Airline was illustrated within a frame work of particular variables with the first being that the airline



References: Flowers, V., & Hughes, C. (1973). Why employees stay. Harvard Business Review, 51(4), 49-60. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database. Hallowell, R. (1996). Southwest Airlines: A case study linking employee needs satisfaction and organizational capabilities to competitive advantage. Human Resource Management, 35(4), 513-534. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database. Kelly, G. (2010). On cloud nine. Sprint Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2010 from http://www.spiritmag.com/gary_kelly/ Levine, D. (2004). Economic and game theory: What is game theory? UCLA Department of Economics. Retrieved September 29, 2010 from http://levine.sscnet.ucla.edu/general /whatis.htm Miles, S. & Mangold, G. (2005). Positioning Southwest Airlines through employee branding. Business Horizons, 48, 535-545. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.auburn.edu/~johnsrd/4160/Readings/Southwest%20Employee%20Branding.pdf Patterson, K., Brenny, J, Maxfield, D., Mcmillan, R., & Switzler, A., (2008). Influencer: The power to change anything. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Schlangenstein, M. & Hughes, J. (2010). Southwest CEO risks keep-it-simple strategy to reignite growth. Bloomberg News. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.bloomberg. com/news/2010-09-27/southwest-airlines-agrees-to-buy-airtran-for-1-4-billion-in-cash-shares.html Tomlinson, G. (2010). Building a culture of high employee engagement. Strategic HR Review, 9(3), 25-31. doi:10.1108/14754391011040046. World at Work (2001). Employee handbook. Department of Human Resources; State of Virginia. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.dhrm.state.va.us/reso urces/emprechnbk.pdf Zoglin, R. & Van Dyk, D. (2008). Who is the stingiest? Time Magazine.com. Retrieved September 29, 2010 from http://www.time.com/time/business/article /0,8599,1829 928,00.html

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