Relationship Between Work Ethics and Employee Engagement Among Small and Medium Enterprises in Mogadishu City, Somalia

Abstract

The SMEs in Mogadishu do encounter employee engagement challenges that affect their overall sustainability. These firms have limited access to resources including finances that may be used to provide an ethical work environment that would foster employee engagement. The ultimate effect of this challenge is reflected in high staff turnover in most of the small and medium enterprises operating in Somalia. Given the significant role that these small and medium enterprises play towards the general economy, it is important that greater attention is paid to enhance employee engagement among these firms. This is an important step towards speedy recovery of Somalia, as one of the emerging economies in the Horn of Africa. The study sought to determine the relationship between work ethics and employee engagement among small and medium enterprises in Mogadishu City, Somalia. A descriptive survey design was adopted targeting 780 employees of the registered small and medium enterprises in Mogadishu Somalia. Stratified random sampling was used to select 264 respondents as the sample size. Primary data was collected with the aid of the questionnaire and the analysis was supported by descriptive statistics (frequencies) and presented through tables. The findings were that personal morality (β=755, p<0.05) had the largest and significant effect on employee engagement among SMEs in Somalia followed by social responsibility (β=.623, p<0.05) and ethical standards (β=.382, p<0.05). The study concludes that work ethics significantly predicts employee engagement in an organization. The study recommends that the human resource managers of the SMEs in Mogadishu City should focus more personal morality, social responsibility and ethical standards in an effort to create an engaged workforce. Employees working in these SMEs should be encouraged to bed more socially responsible as they carry out their respective duties. The existing ethical standards among the SMEs in Mogadishu should be regularly reviewed and updated to match the changing environment. Policy makers in Somalia should enforce relevant regulations that promote social responsibility among the SMEs in Somalia.