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Definition of empowerment
Empowerment is an ever evolving concept which can be interpreted and applied in many different ways depending on the players involved, the corporate culture in place and the overall context of the situation unfolding. Most experts therefore agree that there is no holistically encompassing definition of empowerment, but it is rather a basic concept which must be analysed in conjunction with many other influential factors applicable in a given setting. At its core, empowerment is the delegation of authority and/or responsibility by a superior to a subordinate (Pelit et al., 2011). However, the mere action of empowering an employee is not sufficient to ensure the desired end result because there are other critical variables to consider, i.e. the source and degree of employee motivation, the availability of training, the communication and trust relationship between the superior and subordinate, the leadership style of the superior, the quality of feedback received by the subordinate and so forth (Pelit et al., 2011). This two-part paper will explore a multitude of factors to help comprehend the challenges and issues that need to be dealt with as organisations decide to embark upon a journey of empowerment.
Metrics
Although there may not exist a single agreed upon definition of the concept of empowerment, researchers agree that a composite assembly of select key metrics is essential in determining the ultimate success or failure of an empowerment initiative (Jarrar and Zairi, 2002). In terms of deciding factors, following are the three categories that will be further explored: those related to the employee, those pertaining to the manager and those affecting the organisation as a whole. All three perspectives are undoubtedly intertwined when considering the outcome of an empowerment exercise, but it is essential to assess the individual contribution of each in order to better manage all varieties of situation that can be encountered with an appropriately adapted managerial approach.
Structural empowerment
Structural empowerment, according to Cho (2008), “builds on the notion that superiors distribute power, responsibility, and information to their subordinates, as well as allow employees to participate in decision-making processes in the workplace”. This definition implies that empowerment originates at the top management level and is passed down to employees which is the basic agreed upon view...