The deceptive allure of empowerment

Abstract

Empowerment has become a favoured way of seeking to utilize the talents of employees. The article takes a sceptical view of the practical application of empowerment, since its basic techniques have been available, but underused, for decades. Given this, is the average Western firm in a position to take advantage of the benefits which can flow from empowering employees? A management would have to be prepared to re-shape the power structures and processes of the organization and build up a hierarchy of empowerment practices if significant gains were to be made. Contrary to many assumptions, empowerment in no way diminishes managerial responsibility for leadership, judgement and decisive action.