Kia kisses goodbye to bonuses: Strategy builds employee engagement at car manufacturer

Abstract

Purpose

Presents a strategy to improve employee engagement in an organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes how the strategy was implemented at Kia Motors (UK).

Findings

Reveals that the strategy helped to reduce employee turnover from 31 percent in 2006 to below 2 percent in 2009. Also highlights improvements in line‐manager performance, internal communications, performance appraisal, management development and employee training.

Practical implications

Reveals that the engagement strategy is now being introduced across Kia's European operations and shared with the global HR team in Seoul, Korea.

Social implications

Highlights substantial evidence linking employee engagement and business results.

Originality/value

Describes a number of practical tools that HR specialists can use to build employee engagement in their organizations.

Citation

(2010), "Kia kisses goodbye to bonuses: Strategy builds employee engagement at car manufacturer", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 18 No. 6, pp. 5-7. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670731011071665