A qualitative investigation of employee business awareness

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the content domain of employee business awareness, individual non‐managerial employee realization, perception or knowledge of the employing organization's business environment as demonstrated when involved in decision making or problem solving.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with 20 employees from two organizations yielded 81 critical incidents in which employees participated in workplace decision making or problem solving beyond their immediate task environment. These were examined using interpretative analysis.

Findings

This inductive approach generated 35 indicators of EBA organized according to three themes: the external environment, business strategy, and business processes.

Research limitations/implications

EBA may represent a valuable knowledge resource worthy of further study.

Originality/value

EBA is a new construct that presents opportunities for innovation in research and practice.

Citation

Haines, V.Y., Rousseau, V., Brotheridge, C.M. and Saint‐Onge, E. (2012), "A qualitative investigation of employee business awareness", Personnel Review, Vol. 41 No. 1, pp. 73-87. https://doi.org/10.1108/00483481211189956