The Effect of Perceived Organizational Support and Work Engagement on the Participation in Continuous Improvement: A Case Study of an Automotive Part Manufacturer

Abstract

                  The objectives of this research are 1) to analyze the level of perceived organizational support, work engagement and participation in continuous improvement activities of employees, 2) to analyze the influence of perceived organizational support and work engagement that affect participation in continuous improvement activities of employees. The sample used in the study was workers of an automotive parts manufacturing company in Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estates, Rayong. The data were collected by gathering questionnaires of 338 samples. The statistics data used for analysis were percentage, mean, standard deviation, and structural equation models. The results of the research revealed that employees perceived organizational support at a high level, and work engagement is at a high level. Moreover, participation in continuous improvement activities is at a high level. From the test results of the new structural equation model, it was found that it was consistent with the empirical data, with CMIN/DF= 1.643, GFI = 0.961, AGFI = 0.937, CFI = 0.974, RMR = 0.014, RMSEA = 0.044, NFI = 0.937. Perceived organizational support have a positive influence on work engagement at statistically significance levels of 0.001. It also has a positive influence on participation in continuous improvement activities at a significant level 0.001. The work engagement has a positive influence on participation in improvement activities at a significant level 0.05.