Inclusive Leadership and Employee Engagement as Critical Drivers of Sustainability in Telecommunication Companies

Sulaiman Olusegun Atiku (), Kristofine Aili Itembu-Naunyango and Olufemi Michael Oladejo
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Sulaiman Olusegun Atiku: Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek 13388, Namibia
Kristofine Aili Itembu-Naunyango: Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek 13388, Namibia
Olufemi Michael Oladejo: Department of Management Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa

Administrative Sciences, 2024, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: There has been a growing concern about the influence of inclusive leadership on employee engagement in the telecommunications industry. The telecommunications industry is undergoing rapid technological advancements, leading to increased competition and pressure on employees. Creating an inclusive workplace in such a dynamic environment is essential to attracting and retaining talented professionals and driving eco-innovation for sustainable development in Industry 4.0. Despite the importance of inclusive leadership, there is dearth of studies exploring the influence of inclusive leadership on employee engagement in the telecommunications industry. Hence, this study sought to examine the influence of inclusive leadership on employee engagement in selected telecommunication companies in Namibia. A qualitative approach was adopted, where face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The participants (22 executives) were selected for interviews from two telecommunication companies in Namibia using a purposive sampling method. Data collection involved recording and transcribing participant interviews using Microsoft Word. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 20 software. Results show the importance of empathy and non-hierarchical leadership behaviour as the most critical factor influencing team engagement and discretionary effort in the telecommunications industry in Namibia. Meanwhile, clear career advancement pathways, work autonomy, cross-departmental collaboration, and supervisory support are major contributors to employee engagement for innovative performance and sustainability in the telecommunications industry.

Keywords: employee engagement; equity; diversity; inclusion; inclusive leadership; telecommunications industry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L M M0 M1 M10 M11 M12 M14 M15 M16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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