Factors Affecting Employee Engagement: The case of the National ID Program, Ethiopia (NIDP)
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Date
2025-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Employee engagement significantly influences the success of large-scale public initiatives such as Ethiopia's National ID Program (NIDP), which requires a highly motivated workforce to achieve its ambitious enrollment and service delivery goals. This study quantitatively assessed the primary factors impacting employee engagement among 109 staff members at NIDP headquarters in Addis Ababa. Structured questionnaires administered through stratified random sampling evaluated four critical areas: internal communication, reward and recognition, empowerment, and co-worker relationships.
A descriptive-correlational, quantitative design was used. A full-population census was possible because there are only 140 employees in total; 90 usable questionnaires were returned, representing a 64% response rate. Along with the Utrecht three-dimensional engagement scale (Vigour, Absorption, Dedication), the survey used five-point Likert scales to measure communication, empowerment, reward and recognition, and workplace relationships. Expert review, factor analysis, and pilot testing (n = 10) were used to confirm the validity of the instrument; reliability coefficients ranged from α =.78 to.88.
Using descriptive summaries, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression with comprehensive diagnostic checks (Shapiro-Wilk, Breusch-Pagan, VIF, and Ramsey RESET), all statistics were performed in Stata 15. Results indicated that clear and effective internal communication and empowering practices were positively correlated with higher levels of employee engagement. Conversely, inadequate reward and recognition mechanisms were identified as key factors negatively affecting morale, employee motivation, and retention.
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Employee engagement, internal communication, reward and recognition, empowerment, co-worker relationships