B M S 2 H R M

EMPOWERMENT
• Empowerment in work setting involves giving employees the means, ability and authority to do
something.
• Empowerment in any process provides greater autonomy through the sharing of relevant
information and provision of control over the factors affecting job performance.
R AT I O N A L E O F E M P O W E R M E N T
• The changes of environment and changing expectation of the customers
• Organizations are using new type of structure to achieve objectives
• Organizations require cross-functional working and greater integration in these processes.
• Employees now have greater awareness and are more concerned with satisfaction of higher level
needs.
• Empowerment can provide opportunities for all level of employees to develop competencies.
TYPES OF EMPOWERMENT
1. Suggestion involvement
2. Job involvement
3. High involvement
A D VA N T A G E S
• Everyone in the organization is valued and encouraged to make personal contribution.
• It allows quick decision making and action by the employees.
• It creates a team of loyal and committed employees.
• Individuals are constantly aware what they are seeking to achieve and how it fits with the wider
corporate goals.
• Organization culture is likely to be cooperative and peaceful.
• Individuals will develop willingness to take responsibility.
• Empowerment provides a work environment which fosters opportunities for employees.
BENEFITS FROM THE
PERSPECTIVE OF EMPLOYEES
• Recognition of potential ensures personal growth and development.
• It is a motivational tool and employees feel more important on the job.
• It gives a leverage to try out innovative ways.
• It increases the employee’s confidence on the job because of the faith reposed by the
organization.
F E AT U R E S O F E M P O W E R I N G
O R G A N I Z AT I O N
• Authority and information on most of the issues is delegated and decentralized.
• Individual efforts within narrow departmental boundaries is replaced by cross-functional teams.
• The information is shared freely through networking.
• The new structure means fewer managers with wider responsibilities and employees will work
out their decision-making parameters.
APPROACHES TO EFFECTIVE
EMPOWERMENT
1. Having shared vision and values
2. Having trust in employees
3. Helping to achieve mastery over the job
4. Allowing discretion
5. Providing successful role models
6. Using social reinforcement
7. Giving emotional support
BARRIERS TO EMPOWERMENT
1. Lack of capability among employees
2. Unwillingness of superiors to delegate authority
3. Static organization culture
4. Rigid controls