Mapping the Literature and Future Research Agenda of Employee Engagement: A Bibliometric Analysis of the past 20 years

Purpose: The aim of this study is to highlight the intricacies involved in the conceptualization and theorization of Employee Engagement in the past twenty years. By analyzing the antecedents and, this study aims to identify the gaps in the present literature so that future research directions can be deliberated.

Design/methodology/approach: This research applies a bibliometric analysis approach in order to synthesize upcoming themes in the area of employee engagement.

Findings: Employee Engagement as a concept has been widely conceptualized and mainly differentiated into two dimensions – psychological or attitudinal and behavioural.  Less research has taken place on the behavioural front of the topic wherein the extra-role performance by engaged employees’ discretionary behaviour should be studied. Also, factors like the nature of work and leadership, and emotional intelligence need attention.

Limitations: The present study has only undertaken articles and has not focused on book chapters, conference proceedings and focused on English language research papers. Also, the study excluded research studies where engagement was examined as a moderator or mediator as the emphasis was on understanding the antecedents of engagement.

Implications: Since engagement levels have dropped in the past decade, it becomes imperative for practitioners to overhaul it’s understanding and make every employee’s experience a unique one by engaging them.