Implementation of Employee Empowerment and Engagement in Improving Performance at the Secretariat of the Election Supervisory Board (BAWASLU) of North Sulawesi

Abstract

This study aims to examine employee empowerment and engagement at the Secretariat of Bawaslu North Sulawesi Province and their implications for employee performance. The main problems identified include the limited involvement of employees in decision-making processes, uneven capacity development programs, and weak internal communication. The research focuses on three sub-areas: the implementation of employee empowerment, the implementation of employee engagement, and the contribution of both aspects to performance improvement. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study method, where informants were purposively selected from both leadership and staff. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation, then analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model, consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that empowerment through delegation of authority, training, and access to information enhances employee motivation and responsibility, while engagement in planning and decision-making strengthens loyalty and performance consistency. However, limited resources, suboptimal communication, and resistance to change remain as challenges. Therefore, inclusive managerial strategies and continuous capacity development are needed to reinforce employee performance and support the achievement of organizational goals.