Employee Engagement and Retention Conceptual Framework for Multinational Corporations Operating Across Diverse Cultural Contexts

• Author(s): Mayokun Oluwabukola Aduwo ; Adaobi Beverly Akonobi ; Christiana Onyinyechi Okpokwu
• Paper ID: 1710390
• Page: 461-485
• Published Date: 31-05-2020
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 3 Issue 11 May-2020

Abstract

Employee engagement and retention in multinational corporations operating across diverse cultural contexts represents one of the most complex challenges facing contemporary global organizations. This study develops a comprehensive conceptual framework that addresses the multifaceted nature of employee engagement while considering the intricate cultural dynamics that influence retention strategies across different geographical regions. The framework integrates theoretical foundations from cross-cultural management, organizational behavior, and human resource management to provide a holistic approach to understanding and improving employee engagement in culturally diverse environments. The research synthesizes existing literature on cultural dimensions theory, employee motivation frameworks, and retention strategies to construct a unified model that accounts for cultural variations in employee expectations, communication preferences, and organizational commitment. The framework recognizes that traditional Western-centric engagement models often fail to capture the nuanced cultural factors that drive employee satisfaction and retention in non-Western contexts. Therefore, this study proposes an adaptive framework that incorporates cultural intelligence as a core component of engagement strategies. The conceptual framework identifies five critical dimensions of culturally-sensitive employee engagement including power distance considerations, individualism versus collectivism orientations, uncertainty avoidance preferences, long-term versus short-term orientation perspectives, and masculinity versus femininity cultural tendencies. Each dimension is examined through the lens of its impact on employee engagement initiatives and retention outcomes. The framework also incorporates organizational factors such as leadership styles, communication patterns, reward systems, and career development opportunities as they interact with cultural variables. The study reveals that successful employee engagement in multicultural environments requires a sophisticated understanding of how cultural values influence employee perceptions of organizational support, recognition, and career advancement opportunities. The framework emphasizes the importance of cultural adaptation in engagement strategies while maintaining organizational coherence across global operations. This approach recognizes that standardized engagement practices may be ineffective or even counterproductive in certain cultural contexts. The practical implications of this framework extend to human resource practitioners, organizational leaders, and multinational corporation executives who must navigate the complexities of managing diverse global workforces. The framework provides actionable insights for developing culturally-appropriate engagement strategies that can improve retention rates while fostering organizational commitment across different cultural groups. The study concludes that organizations adopting culturally-intelligent engagement approaches are better positioned to achieve sustainable competitive advantages through enhanced employee retention and improved organizational performance.

Keywords

Employee Engagement, Retention Strategies, Cultural Diversity, Multinational Corporations, Cross-Cultural Management, Organizational Behavior, Cultural Intelligence, Human Resource Management

Citations

IRE Journals:
Mayokun Oluwabukola Aduwo , Adaobi Beverly Akonobi , Christiana Onyinyechi Okpokwu "Employee Engagement and Retention Conceptual Framework for Multinational Corporations Operating Across Diverse Cultural Contexts" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 3 Issue 11 2020 Page 461-485

IEEE:
Mayokun Oluwabukola Aduwo , Adaobi Beverly Akonobi , Christiana Onyinyechi Okpokwu "Employee Engagement and Retention Conceptual Framework for Multinational Corporations Operating Across Diverse Cultural Contexts" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 3(11)