UNRAVELING CAREER DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICAN LOGISTICS COMPANIES

This study delves into the dynamics of career development practices and employee engagement within logistics companies in Durban City, South Africa. Employing a descriptive-correlational research design, the investigation sought answers to key questions regarding the extent of career development practices, the levels of employee engagement, and the relationship between these two critical aspects. The study focused on a sample of 215 employees from five logistics companies in Durban City, South Africa, employing a stratified random sampling approach tailored to the unique characteristics of each company. Primary data collection was conducted through a structured questionnaire, validated for content relevance and reliability, ensuring the instrument's consistency. Ethical principles, including informed consent, anonymity, voluntarism, and confidentiality, were rigorously upheld throughout the study. Data analysis utilized weighted mean and Pearson correlation as statistical tools. The main findings reveal a significant gap in the implementation of career development practices, particularly in essential areas such as career planning, succession planning, and career training. These deficiencies, reflected in low average weighted means, call for strategic interventions to address critical aspects of employee growth and development. Additionally, the study identifies suboptimal levels of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional engagement among employees in logistics companies, emphasizing the need for comprehensive enhancement. A noteworthy discovery is the strong positive correlation between career development practices and employee engagement, highlighted by a robust Pearson Correlation of .887. This statistically significant relationship underscores the interconnectedness of these factors, suggesting that addressing identified gaps in career development practices could catalyze improvements in overall employee engagement within logistics companies. In conclusion, these findings collectively advocate for the enhancement of career development practices as a catalyst for improving employee engagement, fostering a more dynamic and productive workforce. The study's recommendations include the implementation of comprehensive career development programs, prioritization of engagement initiatives, and the integration of technological solutions for career training. These strategies, tailored to the evolving business landscape, hold the potential to contribute to the overall success and sustainability of logistics companies in South Africa.  Article visualizations: