Employee engagement in public service: Case study of advisory group, department of mental health, Ministry of public health Thailand.

Abstract

Objective: This exploratory research aims to understand what employee engagement is and what the key factors that influenced employee engagement are in public services as well as to make recommendations that will help the organization to leverage employee engagement. Methods: This research was conducted in the Advisory Group, a part of Department of Mental Health (DMH), Ministry of Public Health. The research methods are semi-structured interviewing and reviewing of the existing studies which focus on the individuals’ experience in the organization to identify the effects on attitudes toward work, organization, HR practice, working environment, and relationship with supervisors and colleagues. The sample was chosen randomly across different age and gender in different levels of position in Advisory Group. Seven academic and administrative officers out of 15 officers in the Advisory Group were in-depth interviewing. The primary data for the study were collected through the interaction and discussion with the employees which took 45 minutes to an hour. The interviewees are Public Health Officers, Supply Officer, General Administrative Officer, General Affairs Officer, Social Worker, and General Service Supervisor. Results: The finding revealed that factors such as task characteristics, role characteristics, and rewards and payment have no effect in this organization regarding to employee engagement. Other factors such as job recognition, organizational values, career opportunity, internal communication, working environment, and relationship with supervisors and colleagues have the most influential effect.