Final answer:
The statement is true as research supports a strong positive relationship between employee engagement and organizational performance, with higher engagement linked to improved outcomes such as productivity and profits.
Step-by-step explanation:
True. Recent research has indeed indicated that there is a strong positive relationship between employee engagement and organizational performance. A positive relationship means that as one variable increases, so does the other. This suggests that when employees are more engaged in their work, organizational performance, including productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction, tend to improve.
Studies like the one by Arthur, Bennett, Edens, and Bell in 2003 have shown the effectiveness of organizational training on various performance measures. Additionally, interactions between employees and their supervisors, known as the Hawthorne effect, can also lead to better performance. The shift towards a more equal partnership between managers and employees acknowledges the value of engagement and contributions to meeting broader organizational goals.