Sectorial Implications of Employee Engagement with Reference to Servant Leadership: Meta-Analytic View

Abstract

Aim: This meta-analytic study aims to discern whether servant leadership practices impact employee engagement across diverse industry sectors.

Method: A comprehensive search of academic databases yielded a collection of 23 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2023 the encompassed a wide range of sectors which inclusive of healthcare, finance, technology, and manufacturing. Employing rigorous inclusion criteria, studies were assessed for methodological quality, effect size in respect with the relevance to the research question.

Result: The meta-analysis revealed effect of servant leadership on employee engagement across various industry sectors, however substantial heterogeneity was also reported (Q = 427.38, p < 0.001, I² = 94.852).

Conclusion: The meta-analysis found a robust and significant effect of servant leadership on employee engagement which is indicative of  fact that organizations that practice servant leadership have more engaged workers. This association held true across several industry sectors, emphasizing the effect's universality. However, the high degree of heterogeneity (94.852 on I²) implies that, while servant leadership is important, there may be other factors impacting employee engagement outcomes. This research provides critical insights for leaders and managers seeking to enhance employee engagement within their specific industry contexts, offering a compelling case for the adoption of servant leadership principles to foster a more engaged and motivated workforce.