Exploring Interrelationships among Employee Engagement, Job Satisfaction, and Loyalty: A Comparative Analysis Across Selected Public Sector Banks in the Post-Merger Period.

The banking sector has experienced substantial transformations through mergers and acquisitions (M&As) aimed at improving operational efficiency and competitiveness. While these strategic initiatives primarily focus on financial performance, they also significantly impact employee dynamics, particularly job satisfaction (JS), employee engagement (EE), and employee loyalty (EL). Understanding these effects is crucial for evaluating M&A success and ensuring industry stability during transitions. This study identifies key factors influencing JS and EE post-merger and analyzes their associations with EL. Employing a descriptive and exploratory survey research design, data were collected from 683 banking employees via a self-constructed structured questionnaire. Participants were selected through quota sampling from four public sector banks in ten smart cities across Uttar Pradesh. Data analysis involved various statistical methods using SPSS version 25. Key findings revealed strong connections among JS, EE, and EL, with supportive leadership and growth opportunities significantly enhancing JS. No significant differences in JS, EE, or EL were found across the banks, indicating consistent employee experiences. Additionally, higher JS correlated with increased EE and EL, suggesting a reciprocal relationship that organizations can leverage for improved workforce satisfaction. The findings indicate that public sector banks should prioritize fostering supportive leadership and providing growth opportunities to enhance employee experiences and overall organizational performance.