Raising Employee Engagement in Malaysian SMEs Through Values-Based Corporate Culture

This dissertation researches the role and significance of Values-Based Corporate Culture in relation to employee engagement in Malaysian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The study is designed to assist companies looking to solve the problem of low employee engagement. The Values-Based Corporate Culture described in this dissertation is based on the biblical work culture that existed before the Fall of human beings. Examples of successful companies with excellent workplace culture are also carefully studied, discussed and analyzed.

An employee engagement and corporate culture survey was carried out with 339 white-collar employees from 21 Malaysian SMEs. These companies were selected from diverse industries, representing different employee age groups, as well as the major religious and racial backgrounds in Malaysia. The survey was conducted online using SurveyMonkey software. The results were tabulated and charted with the help of the data stratification facility within this software.

Based on the research findings, a list of general recommendations was compiled for this group of 21 companies. At the same time, a dedicated survey report with a customized action list was discussed with the CEO of each of the 21 companies. The general recommendations should also be helpful to company CEOs, business leaders, Church leaders, human resources personnel, and business consultants in Malaysia as well as other similar developing countries.
A one-day training seminar on Values-Based Corporate Culture was conducted for one of the above companies. Similar training can also be replication for each of the twenty companies or for companies who participate in similar future surveys.