The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of career opportunities on employee engagement in Fairtrade horticultural firms in Kenya. Theory that informed the study was Expectancy theory. This research adopted pragmatism research philosophy. A cross-sectional descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study targeted 17 fairtrade horticultural firms as unit of analysis and 5,600 employees as the unit of observation. The sample size was 373 respondents drawn from low level, middle level, and top-level management. The study relied mainly on primary data. The study adopted stratified and simple random sampling techniques. After the stratification of the respondents into strata, simple random sampling was adopted to pick up the respondents. The researcher used questionnaire as the research instrument. Descriptive and inferential analysis were computed using SPSS version 26. In order to analyze the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable the study used Multiple Regression analysis at 5% level of significance. The findings indicated that career opportunities have a positive and significant effect on employee engagement in Fairtrade horticultural firms in Kenya. The study concluded that career opportunities contribute significantly to the employee engagement in Fairtrade horticultural firms in Kenya. The study recommended that Horticultural firm management should create opportunities for career development of employees, offer training ground for career movement within the organization. Nomination for employees to undergo various staff career growth and development programs such as training should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner by the management.
Ababneh, O. M. A. (2021). How do green HRM practices affect employees’ green behaviors? The role of employee engagement and personality attributes. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 64(7), 1204-1226.
Adhitama, J., & Riyanto, S. (2020). Maintaining employee engagement and employee performance during Covid-19 pandemic at PT Koexim Mandiri Finance. Journal of Research in Business and Management, 8(3), 6-10.
Ahakwa, I., Yang, J., Tackie, E. A., & Atingabili, S. (2021). The influence of employee engagement, work environment and job satisfaction on organizational commitment and performance of employees: a sampling weights in PLS path modelling. SEISENSE Journal of Management, 4(3), 34-62.
Al Marshoudi, F. B., Jamaluddin, Z., Aween, A. M. B., Al Balushi, F. I., & Mohammad, B. A. (2023). The mediating role of employee engagement in the relationship between leadership styles and organizational performance. International Journal of Management Thinking, 1(2), 40-61.
Al Zeer, I., Ajouz, M., & Salahat, M. (2023). Conceptual model of predicting employee performance through the mediating role of employee engagement and empowerment. International Journal of Educational Management, 37(5), 986-1004.
Albrecht, S. L., Bocks, A., Dalton, J., Lorigan, A., & Smith, A. (2021). Pro-environmental employee engagement: The influence of pro-environmental organizational, job and personal resources. Sustainability, 14(1), 43.
Alkandi, I. G., Khan, M. A., Fallatah, M., Alabdulhadi, A., Alanizan, S., & Alharbi, J. (2023). The Impact of Incentive and Reward Systems on Employee Performance in the Saudi Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Industrial Sectors: A Mediating Influence of Employee Job Satisfaction. Sustainability, 15(4), 3415.
Andrli?, B., Priyashantha, K. G., & De Alwis, A. C. (2023). Employee engagement management in the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 15(2), 987.
Arifin, Z., Nirwanto, N., & Manan, A. (2019). Improving the effect of work satisfaction on job performance through employee engagement. International Journal of Multi-Discipline Science (IJ-MDS), 2(1), 1-9.
Ariussanto, K. A. P., Tarigan, Z. J. H., MM, D., br Sitepu, R., & Singh, D. S. K. (2020). Leadership style, employee engagement, and work environment to employee performance in manufacturing companies (Doctoral dissertation, EDP Sciences).
Arzamasova, G. S., & Esaulova, I. A. (2021). Analysis of the environmental employee engagement: A case of a Russian enterprise. Upravlenec, 12(3).
Atik, A., Indrayani, I., Khaddafi, M., & Windayati, D. T. (2023). The influence of transformational leadership, employee engagement, and work environment, on the performance of employees with work discipline as intervening at the general bureau of the regional secretariat of riau islands province. International Journal of Educational Review, Law And Social Sciences (IJERLAS), 3(1), 59-82.
Azmy, A. (2019). Employee engagement factors in a higher education institution. Binus Business Review, 10(3), 187-200.
Bhardwaj, A., Mishra, S., & Jain, T. K. (2021). Analysis of strategic leadership for organizational transformation and employee engagement. Materials Today: Proceedings, 37, 161-165.
Biriowu, C. S., & Ofurum, U. A. (2020). Employee engagement and organizational survival. World Journal of Innovative Research, 9(5), 79-92.
Chacha, P. W., Kirui, B. K., & Wiedemann, V. (2024). Supply chains in times of crisis: Evidence from Kenya’s production network. World Development, 173, 106363.
Chakraborty, T., & Ganguly, M. (2019). Crafting engaged employees through positive work environment: Perspectives of employee engagement. In Management techniques for employee engagement in contemporary organizations (pp. 180-198). IGI Global.
Chepoghisho, L. L. (2019). Performance Of The Kenyan Cut Flower Exports; An Empirical Investigation (1986-2018) (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).
Duque, L., Costa, R., Dias, Á., Pereira, L., Santos, J., & António, N. (2020). New ways of working and the physical environment to improve employee engagement. Sustainability, 12(17), 6759.
Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), (2020).Addressing labour practices on Kenyan flower farms. London United Kingdom: Cromwell Fulwood Place .
Fairtrade Flower Report (2023): https://www.fairtrade.net/library/2022-annual-report
Field, J. B. (2021). A Study of the Impact of Career Development on Nurse Engagement and Intent to Remain with the Organization (Doctoral dissertation, Northeastern University).
Gachui, J. G. (2022). Predictors of Employee Performance at the Ministry of Education in Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, JKUAT-COHRED).
Hameduddin, T. (2021). Employee engagement among public employees: Exploring the role of the (perceived) external environment. The American Review of Public Administration, 51(7), 526-541.
Hassan, M., Azmat, U., Sarwar, S., Adil, I. H., & Gillani, S. H. M. (2020). Impact of job satisfaction, job stress and motivation on job performance: a case from private universities of karachi. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (Kuwait Chapter), 9(2), 76-86.
Hendrawan, M. S., & Pogo, T. (2021). The effect of organisational culture, leadership style, and career development on employee engagement. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 6(7), 333-341.
Hossen, M. M., Chan, T. J., & Hasan, N. A. M. (2020). Mediating role of job satisfaction on internal corporate social responsibility practices and employee engagement in higher education sector. Contemporary Management Research, 16(3), 207-227.
Hussain, S. D., Khaliq, A., Nisar, Q. A., Kamboh, A. Z., & Ali, S. (2019). The impact of employees’ recognition, rewards and job stress on job performance: mediating role of perceived organization support. SEISENSE Journal of Management, 2(2), 69-82.
Jeni, F. A., Mutsuddi, P., & Das, S. (2020). The impact of rewards on employee performance: a study of commercial banks in Noakhali Region. Journal of Economics, Management and Trade, 26(9), 28-43.
Judeh, M. (2021). Effect of work environment on employee engagement: Mediating role of ethical decision-making. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 19(3), 221.
Kaaria, S. K. (2022). Investigating the Working Conditions of Women in the Flower Farms in Thika Sub-county in Kiambu County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, university of nairobi).
Kariuki, J. W. (2021). Mama Mboga: exploring the continuity of micro retailers of fresh fruit and vegetables in Nairobi, Kenya. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 11(8), 73-82.
Kim, M., & Kim, J. (2021). Corporate social responsibility, employee engagement, well-being and the task performance of frontline employees. Management Decision, 59(8), 2040-2056.
Kogo, B. K., Kumar, L., & Koech, R. (2021). Climate change and variability in Kenya: a review of impacts on agriculture and food security. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23, 23-43.
Mansaray, H. E. (2019). The role of human resource management in employee motivation and performance-An overview. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute (BIRCI) Journal, 2(3), 183-194.
Manzoor, F., Wei, L., & Asif, M. (2021). Intrinsic rewards and employee's performance with the mediating mechanism of employee's motivation. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 563070.
Moletsane, M., Tefera, O., & Migiro, S. (2019). The Relationship between Employee Engagement and Organisational Productivity of Sugar Industry in South Africa: The Employees' Perspective. African Journal of Business & Economic Research, 14(1).
Moore, J. R., & Hanson, W. (2022). Improving leader effectiveness: impact on employee engagement and retention. Journal of Management Development, 41(7/8), 450-468.
Muchibi, W. M., Mutua, S. M., & Juma, D. (2022). Influence of career development on employee engagement in the public health sector in Kenya. International Academic Journal of Human Resource and Business Administration, 4(1), 297-327.
Mule, M. M. (2020). Relationship between Reward Management Practices and Employee Retention in County Government of Meru, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, KeMU).
Mule, M., Rintari, N., Moguche, A., & Kaaria, D. K. (2020). Relationship between Carrier Development and Employee Retention in County Government of Meru, Kenya. Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Teknologi, 5(3), 1185-1195.
Mustaqim, M. I., & Sary, F. P. (2022). Role of Career Development and Job Satisfaction for Employee Engagement for Start-ups. In European International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (Vol. 5, pp. 1730-1741).
Mwangi, N. (2019). The power to flourish: Unearthing the roots of Kenyan flower producers' market access strategies (Doctoral dissertation, University of Cambridge).
Mwaruta, S. S. (2022). Occupational Safety and Health Training and Performance of Cement Manufacturing Firms in Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, JKUAT-COHRED).
Nasidi, Y., Makera, A. U., Kamaruddeen, A. M., & Jemaku, I. M. (2019). Assessing the impact of work environment on employee engagement among non-academic staff of the University. SEISENSE Journal of Management, 2(1), 57-68.
Nasir Ansari, J. A., & Irfan, S. (2023). Corporate social responsibility and employee engagement: the mediating role of personal environmental norms and employee green behavior. Social Responsibility Journal, 19(9), 1728-1748.
Ndiritu, G. (2020). Influence of Career Development on the Engagement of Non-academic Staff at Kenyatta University (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi)
Ngwa, W. T., Adeleke, B. S., Agbaeze, E. K., Ghasi, N. C., & Imhanrenialena, B. O. (2019). Effect of extrinsic incentive system on employee engagement among selected manufacturing firms in the Litoral region of Cameroon. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 18(3), 1-16.
Ningsih, M. A., Wijaya, Y. K., Muntahari, S., & Damayanti, N. (2023). The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Employee Satisfaction, Employee Performance, and Employee Engagement: The Insurance and Pension Fund Service. International Journal Of Applied Business Research, 88-100.
Nnko, E. E. (2022). Flexible Work Arrangements on Performance of Nurses in Regional Hospitals in Tanzania (Doctoral dissertation, JKUAT-COHRED).
Nurpida, L. (2023). The Influence of Motivation, Work Environment, Competence, and Compensation on Job Satisfaction and Employee Performance in The Office of The Public Works Department of The Province of Bali. Dinasti International Journal of Digital Business Management, 4(4), 795-807.
Opondo, M. M. (2019). Trade Policy in the Cut Flower Industry in Kenya. University of Nairobi
Patricia, N. M., & Asoba, S. N. (2021). Theories of job satisfaction in the higher education context. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 27(2), 1-16.
Ramli, I., Darsono, N., & Chan, S. (2022). The Effect Of Career Development On Employee Engagement With Organizational Commitment As An Intervening Variable At Pt. Bank Aceh Syariah Head Office. International Journal of Business Management and Economic Review, 5(2), 109-122.
Ranjan, R. (2021). Impact of Employee Engagement on Career Development A Study in Manufacturing Industries. Global Business and Management Research, 12(3), 17-32.
Rasool, S. F., Wang, M., Tang, M., Saeed, A., & Iqbal, J. (2021). How toxic workplace environment effects the employee engagement: The mediating role of organizational support and employee wellbeing. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(5), 2294.
Raza, A., Farrukh, M., Iqbal, M. K., Farhan, M., & Wu, Y. (2021). Corporate social responsibility and employees' voluntary pro?environmental behavior: The role of organizational pride and employee engagement. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 28(3), 1104-1116.
Rukumba, S. (2021). Human Resource Management Practices and Performance of Telecommunication Industry in Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, JKUAT-COHRED).
Sari, S. M., & Ranihusna, D. (2019). Build the positive work environment with work engagement. Management Analysis Journal, 8(3), 340-349.
Setiawan, A. H., & Negoro, D. A. (2023). Relationship Between Career Development, Employee Engagement and Employee Performance. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 7(1), 4679-4688.
Sileyew, K. J. (2019). Research design and methodology. Cyberspace, 1-12.
Suherman, U. D., Ahman, E., Disman, D., & Rofaida, R. (2023). Effect of Career Development and Employee Engagement on Employee Performance of PT. POS Indonesia (Persero). Jurnal Manajemen Universitas Bung Hatta, 18(1), 134-144.
Sun, L., & Bunchapattanasakda, C. (2019). Employee engagement: A literature review. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 9(1), 63-80.
Suomi, K., Saraniemi, S., Vähätalo, M., Kallio, T. J., & Tevameri, T. (2021). Employee engagement and internal branding: two sides of the same coin?. Corporate Reputation Review, 24, 48-63.
Tamsah, H., Farida, U., Ybnu, M., Yusriadi, Y., Nasirin, C., & Kurniawan, R. (2021). Effect of career development and compensation on work commitment and its impact on employee performance. In Proceedings of the 11th Annual International Conference.
Tekletsadik, S. (2022). The Impact Of Career Development On Employee Engagement In Case Of Wegagen Bank Sc (Doctoral Dissertation, St. Mary’s University).
Tian, Q., & Robertson, J. L. (2019). How and when does perceived CSR affect employees’ engagement in voluntary pro-environmental behavior?. Journal of Business Ethics, 155, 399-412.
Turner, P., & Turner, P. (2020). Employee engagement and the employee experience. Employee Engagement in Contemporary Organizations: Maintaining High Productivity and Sustained Competitiveness, 1-26.
Tuyia, L., & Juma, D. (2019). Influence of reward fairness on job satisfaction among staff in Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6 (2), 1720 –1731.
Veronica, R., Felistus, M., & Hannah, B. (2021). Career Development and Employee Performance in Kenya Forestry Research Institute Headquarters in Muguga, Kiambu County. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom, 9(4), 123-137.
Welmilla, I., & Ranasinghe, V. R. (2020). Green employee engagement. Contemporary Developments in Human Resource Management, 77-86.
(Mwingirwa et al., 2024)
Mwingirwa, M. K., Okello, D. J., Otinga, H. N., & Kitonga, D. (2024). Effect of Career Opportunities on Employee Engagement in Fairtrade Horticultural Firms in Kenya. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 14(6), 1695–1715.
Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
