| Abstract [eng] |
The main purpose of this master thesis is to explore how employee involvement in process improvement contributes to employees' careers, presenting an empirical study of employees in the Fintech sector. The Master thesis consists of three main parts: the analysis of literature, the research and its results, a conclusion and recommendations. Literature analysis reviewed process improvement, employee involvement, and career advancement, systematized the previous research, and established the main dimensions, such as internal motivation, visibility, cultural support, informal networks, tenure, and improvement-oriented behavior. Which are the foundation for the framework applied in the empirical research. Following the literature analysis, qualitative research design was utilized, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers from Lithuanian fintech companies for their insights on their experience with process improvement and career development. Building on this theoretical foundation, the qualitative findings were grouped and dimensions in the created framework expanded. Empirical evidence showed that employees who were actively involved in process improvement were more visible, trusted, and given the opportunity to lead other initiatives. Participation in process improvement showed to impact promotion decisions, especially when the contributions are observable and in line with organizational objectives. However, career advancement is conditional rather than automatic, relying on cultural support, managerial encouragement, and formal or informal recognition systems. The findings also indicated that although experienced employees tend to lead the improvement process because of their knowledge of the processes, new employees bring new ideas and energy, which indicated that promotion is more dependent on the ability and initiative than tenure. The study adds to the literature by highlighting the link between process improvement practices and career advancement. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how process improvement behaviors can translate into career outcomes and provide practical insights for managers seeking to align employee development with organizational improvement objectives. The study has limitations due to its focus on only managerial views. Its sample is limited to Lithuanian fintech managers, and possible biases due to the interpretive interviews and socially desirable responses. In conclusion, this master thesis has shown that employee participation in process improvement can lead to career advancement when identified career advancement dimensions are present. |
