Critically evaluate the concept of empowerment. What is the link Essay

Critically evaluate the concept of empowerment. What is the link between empowerment and motivation in the context of large U - Essay Example This is essential in the retail sector which thrives on customer satisfaction. Empowerment however requires training and guidance which appears to be lacking in the retail sector. The employees tend to prefer direction to action which implies they lack intrinsic motivation. The management too may be unwilling to share critical information and relinquish power. Hence, the efficacy of empowerment is dependent on various factors and cannot lead to competitive advantage by merely empowering the employees. Empowerment Empowerment has varied definitions and approaches and may involve elements like individual employee perceptions, job structure and work environment, organizational structure and culture, managerial commitment and leadership, and training and reward systems (Anderson & Huang, 2006). Empowerment involves the behavior of the supervisor (cause of empowerment) and the psychological state of the subordinate (the effect). Empowerment is not merely a fad but a unique concept represe nting a new managerial approach and cannot be substituted for word like authority, delegation, motivation or self-efficacy (Lee & Koh, 2001). Empowerment is a continuing process occurring in a dynamic environment. It requires removing the conditions that give rise to feelings of powerlessness. It should create a work environment that strengthens the feelings of self efficacy (Anderson & Huang, 2006). They should be given autonomy and allowed to participate in decision-making. The employees should be freed from rigorous control imposed by company rules and regulations. Empowerment can lead to job satisfaction and loyalty, which positively impacts performance. However, empowerment requires the right leadership style and the managerial practices which can provide the right motivation. Motivation Motivation has been defined as an internal process that controls and regulates behavior, according to Hardre (2003). Barnett (1999) defines motivation as a psychological force that directs, ini tiates, and sustains human behavior over time. To ensure highest productivity and better performance, the importance of motivation has been recognized. However, motivation should spring from the inner self – it should be intrinsic and not induced by external factors such as pay and monetary incentives. Intrinsic motivation is positive, internalized and self-owned whereas extrinsic motivation is low quality and does not produce the valued outcomes. Empowerment and motivation Thus it can be said that empowerment is the authority to use discretion and take decisions while motivation is an inner urge to grow or perform. This is the initiative that Kokemuller (2001) refers to as the skills essential for jobs in the retail but something that is commonly missing. In favorable conditions the workers produce better and according to Ryan and Deci (2000) these include autonomy and competence. This implies that empowerment provides intrinsic joy and this induces the worker to perform bet ter. Empowerment should be an individual motivation which should create an environment for augmenting motivation through the development of strong feeling of personal effectiveness (Anderson & Huang, 2006). Empowerment should foster a belief in the worker on his own effectiveness thereby enhancing intrinsic motivation. Empowerment enhances self-efficacy and even according to Maslow it is the highest in the hierarchy of needs. However, even if the workers are empowered, they