O papel da comunicação interna no engagement dos colaboradores perante um contexto de práticas de trabalho híbrido

: o caso da Ikea Portugal

Abstract

In recent years we have witnessed significant changes in society as a result of an increasingly global and competitive market, where organizations tend to reevaluate their processes and strategic decisions to optimize their differentiating factors and enhance their competitive advantages. In this sense, considering the importance of understanding organizational dynamics, the primary objective of this investigation was to understand the relevance that new teleworking models, namely the hybrid modality, establish with internal communication and employee engagement at IKEA Portugal. In this way, it has become imperative to understand the relationship between these three variables and what influence they have on internal social relations. Therefore, in this investigation a mixed methodology was adopted that included the qualitative method, through documentary analysis and five exploratory interviews carried out with professionals from different departments at IKEA Portugal. And, the quantitative method, through a questionnaire survey applied to IKEA Portugal employees, based on the theoretical models of Dhanesh & Picherit-Duthler (2021); Lee (2022); Schaufeli & Bakker (2003) and Verčič et al. (2021) and three new dimensions that resulted from two exploratory interviews carried out. As a sample of respondents to the questionnaire survey, 156 responses were obtained, representing 32,1% of the universe of 486 IKEA Portugal employees under investigation who carry out hybrid work in the organization. As main results, it is possible to highlight that there is a strong link between internal communication and employee engagement at IKEA Portugal, making it possible to assess that the organization enhances the use of internal communication channels to increase employee engagement. Furthermore, internal communication, when used strategically, has a positive impact on employee engagement and, consequently, on achieving higher levels of engagement, even when we are facing a new work model. It was also found that IKEA Portugal employees are able to quickly get in touch, remotely and through official channels, with both teammates and their managers and that people do not feel less committed to the organization in a hybrid context.

Date of Award	30 Sept 2024
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Nuno Goulart Brandão (Supervisor)