Emotional Engagement and Its Influence on the Survival of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Bayelsa State

Abstract

The inability to adapt to environmental changes, change processes and procedures, most small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) have experienced catastrophic collapse. SMEs have allegedly failed to adjust their governance structure, operations, strategy, management systems, and decision-support capacities to withstand shocks and disruptions. The ability of SMEs in Yenagoa to adapt quickly enough to changes has not been demonstrated. This empirical study therefore aims to examine the relationship between emotional engagement and survival of small and medium scale enterprises in Bayelsa State. The theoretical framework for this study is Social Exchange Theory. The study population consisted of 84 managers and supervisors of small and medium scale enterprises in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Census sampling technique was used for this study. The data analysis was done using Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient. The findings of this study demonstrate the role of employee engagement as critical for small and medium scale enterprises to display adaptability, dynamic capability, and competitiveness. The study therefore recommends that small and medium scale enterprises in Bayelsa State should promote emotional engagement by creating a happy work environment that gives employees a sense of belonging and persuade them to believe in and support the company's mission and values. This will increase adaptability amongst small and medium scale enterprises thus, making them take proactive and/or deliberate action and develop new repositioning tactics to face the unpredictable and complex business climate.